Jeremy Lin off to a flying start with latest NBA team Toronto Raptors
- Raptors are Lin’s eighth NBA franchise
- Guard will get an extended run in the side in coming weeks
The 30-year-old came off the bench to a huge ovation in Toronto in the Raptors’ 129-120 win over the Washington Wizards.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Lin was bought out of his three-year US$36 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks earlier this week.
In 25 minutes, he managed eight points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, capping a good first night’s work.
There were 10 members of the Chinese-language media in attendance for his debut.
The Raptors’ starting guard, Fred VanVleet, underwent surgery on an injured thumb earlier this week and is set to miss five weeks handing Lin an immediate opportunity to make his mark.
The well-travelled Lin, 30, became a household name in 2012, when a short but prolific run with the New York Knicks sparked what became known as “Linsanity.” Since then, he played for Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte and Brooklyn before arriving in Atlanta in the off-season.
Lin began his career with the Golden State Warriors in 2010-11.
With the Hawks, Lin averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game.
Additional reporting: Reuters
