preseason debut for the rook 💪
» 15 PTS (team-high)
» 5 AST (team-high)
» 2 REB@C_Duarte5 pic.twitter.com/Nz2RcxWVqy— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 6, 2021
Former Oregon Ducks wing Chris Duarte made his NBA preseason debut on Tuesday for the Indiana Pacers, tallying a team-high 15 points and five assists in their 125-104 loss to the New York Knicks.
Duarte was tied for the team lead in minutes played with All-Star Domantas Sabonis, and he looked comfortable right away – teaming up with fellow rookie Isaiah Jackson to score 12 straight points over a five minute span in the first quarter.
“It’s crazy, having my first game at Madison Square Garden,” Duarte said after the game. “It felt good. I felt good out there. First time playing an NBA game, just trying to learn. Trying to learn from mistakes and trying to learn each and every day.”
Indiana made Duarte the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft following a successful senior season in Eugene where he was named the Jerry West Award Winner – given to the nation’s top shooting guard.
Now, he’ll look to carve out a significant role for a rebuilding Pacers squad in his first NBA campaign.
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