NBA China Games: Zeng urged to remain positive after low-key debut for Nets in loss to Suns

Zeng Fanbo made his Brooklyn Nets debut on Friday and said he just felt lucky to be playing in this weekend’s NBA China Games in Macau after missing almost six months through injury.

The former Beijing star had suffered a stress fracture in his back during April’s CBA play-off semi-final against Shanxi, which had sidelined him since then.

Coming off the bench for his first Nets start, the 22-year-old’s low-key debut involved minutes towards the end of each half and a significant amount of the overtime in a game where the Nets squandered an 18-point first-quarter lead against the Phoenix Suns before losing 132-127 at The Venetian Arena.

In the league’s first matches in China since before the pandemic, the Nets and Suns play again on Sunday, and Zeng said he had enjoyed every moment of being on the court.

“It was my first game after being injured [in April], I felt lucky to be playing in such a high standard game,” said Zeng, who finished with one steal and was attributed with three fouls. “I did what I could to recover, and got a spot on the team.

“I am only 22, so I still enjoy playing on the court. Every time I take the court and have a chance to compete, even for just one second, I feel like I at least tried my best. I also hope to enjoy the happiness that it brings me from being on the court.”