Nuggets' Bol Bol records a double-double in NBA debut

Denver Nuggets rookie Bol Bol recorded a double-double in his NBA debut with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots Wednesday during an 89-82 victory over the Washington Wizards.

With just eight healthy players available to play, Bol earned the start in the Nuggets' first scrimmage game ahead to the season restart. Bol logged 32 minutes in the exhibition game

Bol finished by shooting 6-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-8 from 3-point range. His first bucket came off of a pass from Nikola Jokic, who began the game as the team's point guard. A few plays later, Bol blocked a shot, drove the ball up the floor and drained a 3-pointer.

"I've been working really hard, especially since I got here in the bubble," said Bol, whose postgame video call was delayed because of a randomly scheduled drug test. "I was just trying not to be nervous, and then everything would just come to me."

Bol, who is signed to a two-way contract, has not played in an official game with the Nuggets this season but has been practicing with the team ahead of the season restart this month. He has looked sharp in practice and has shown no signs of any lingering injury issues with his left foot, which has hindered him since he had foot surgery and was taken in the second round of the 2019 draft. 

"We put him in the middle of our zone, tried to funnel everything to him, let him block shots," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "He did a really good job of that. He did a lot of really good things out there. Proud of him."

The 7-foot-2 center could play a meaningful role with the team once the season resumes Aug. 1 against the Miami Heat. He flashed his two-way potential on both ends of the floor on Wednesday and could help form a scary frontcourt with the Nuggets in the playoffs.

The Nuggets play their second of three scrimmage games on Saturday.