Aussies Abroad: Thybulle 4-of-5 as Lakers go 4-1

Matisse Thybulle has continued his strong early-season form in the NBA, helping the Lakers to a win over Los Angeles rivals the Clippers for the second time in a week.

Still finding his feet in purple and gold since an off-season move from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Australian guard registered 15 points, including 4-of-5 three-pointers, and one rebound in the 103-87 victory to improve his side to a 4-1 record.

Quentin Grimes scored 23 points, Collin Sexton added a season-high 21 off the bench and Austin Reaves had 16 as the Lakers got the job done without superstar Luka Doncic (back).

Earlier on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), a balanced performance from Boomers pair Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale wasn’t enough for Atlanta to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 18 rebounds in his first victory since joining Miami from the Milwaukee Bucks, while Adebayo had 24 points and nine boards in the 129-117 win.

Daniels provided his usual defensive instincts with three steals and a block, but was limited offensively, scoring just seven points to go with four rebounds and seven assists.

His fellow Aussie Landale was impactful off the bench, scoring 10 points to go with six rebounds in just 16 minutes on court.

Rookie Kingston Flemings and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 23 points for the Hawks, who have dropped three in a row after opening the season with consecutive wins.

In Chicago, Josh Giddey’s Bulls pushed defending champions New York all the way in a 133-127 loss.

Giddey was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, scoring 10 points to go with his 11 assists, and helped keep the now 1-5 Bulls in the contest with crucial dimes late, but Jalen Brunson’s 38 points lifted the Knicks to victory.

Tyrese Proctor had limited opportunities for Cleveland in their 121-111 win over Washington, while fellow Aussie Josh Green played nearly 24 minutes in Utah’s 117-111 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Proctor made his only shot of the night, adding one rebound and one assist in six minutes, while Green had two points, two boards and two assists for the Jazz.

The Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley top-scored with 24 points, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, and collected 12 rebounds.

It spoiled AJ Dybantsa’s NBA debut for the Wizards, even though the No.1 overall pick registered a team-high 19 points.

In Indianapolis, Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points to lift Philadelphia to a 114-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Joel Embiid had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, while Jaylen Brown had 20 points and 10 boards, Anfernee Simons 20 points off the bench and LeBron James 13 points and 10 assists.

Elsewhere, the Detroit Pistons held off the Charlotte Hornets 97-89, the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 129-99 and the Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91.

With The AP.