Jackson debuts; Burns leading man early

Around the Perimeter: Justin Jackson’s return to the court was a promising one; Jordan Burns among league scoring leaders; Newcomers Mike Nuga, Antwon Lillard bringing the energy, Isom knocking down the shots. All the latest Lightning news & notes …

Jordan Burns is off to a hot start in 2023. He averaged a team-best 23.4 points in London’s first five games. (Photo: Greels Media).

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STARTING FIVE

1. At last, game action for Jackson. It’s been a lengthy road back for Justin Jackson, who returned to the court Wednesday – for his London Lightning debut – after spending the better part of two years sidelined with separate achilles tears.

The Toronto native, who played his college ball at the University of Maryland and was drafted by the Denver Nuggets (43rd overall) in 2018, last suited up for a handful of games with the G League’s Long Island Nets in 2021 – before suffering a season-ending injury for the second time in his career.

“I’m happy for him, given what he’s gone through,” Lightning coach Doug Plumb told Gameday London prior to Jackson’s return to the court Wednesday in London’s last-minute 105-104 loss to Windsor. “This is the first opportunity for him to really be part of a team again. I got clearance Tuesday [from team doctors] to play him 15 to 20 minutes (Wednesday), so I’m gonna start him. I think he deserves that.”

Jackson did Plumb one better, giving him 27 minutes of run and showing why he was so highly regarded coming out of college. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 17 points in his Lightning debut, knocking down six of 11 shot attempts (including four 3-pointers).

Justin Jackson makes Lightning debut Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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“Think about his journey,” said Plumb. “He was one of the top-ranked kids in North America coming out of high school. He tears his achilles. He rehabs really hard and then essentially tears the other (achilles) almost immediately.”

In two years at Maryland, Jackson, who will turn 26 later this month, averaged double-digit points and six rebounds a game before being selected by the Nuggets in the 2nd round of the 2018 NBA draft. Traded to Orlando, he played two seasons for the G League’s Lakeland Magic. An achilles tear forced him to miss the entire 2019-20 season.

“I’m not trying to put any pressure on him. He’ll continue to get better,” said Plumb. “He has a very unique skillset, and he’s worked meticulously. I’m proud of him for what he’s done.”

2. Burns scorching early. The Lightning’s Jordan Burns, who was a late acquisition last year, playing just four regular season games – and then in six straight playoff wins en route to London’s 2022 championship title – has shined early in 2023.

Through six games, the guard is averaging a team-best 20.7 points and 8.2 assists while playing more minutes than any other Lightning player – by a good margin. The points are second most in the league following play Wednesday (trailing only Sudbury’s Jaylen Bland and Jeremy Harris).

And that includes a rough season-opener (4-of-15 shooting) and a down game Wednesday, during which Burns managed just seven points (but dished out 11 assists), The Jackson, Tennessee native has shot 50 percent or better in four of six games so far, including pouring in 37 (14-for-23 shooting) in London’s 108-104 overtime win in their series finale against the Newfoundland Rogues last Saturday.

In fact, Burns was the best all-around player on the court in London’s three-game road series out east, playing a crucial role in each contest to help the Lightning come away with a sweep.

“Jordan is a guy who can really score. But I think he’s also a guy who just really understands how to play the game,” said Lightning assistant coach Mike Provenzano. He understands how to initiate the offense and how to get other guys involved.

“You need a guy when the game is tied with two, three, four minutes left … you can put the ball in his hands and trust that he’s gonna make the right decisions. But he’s also someone who can get you a bucket. Jordan Burns is that guy for us.”

3. You get one chance at a first impression. And newly-signed guard Antwon Lillard made the best of his – upon joining the team in Newfoundland for their three-game set against the Rogues.

After a 12-point debut (in 20 minutes), Lillard, a Cleveland, Ohio native, played a key role in London’s come-from-behind win against the Rogues in the second game of the series. He shot 7-for-13 from the floor, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the 102-93 win. It was his play that arguably sparked the comeback.

“Literally, it was just energy, man. Energy and effort,” Lillard said following the game. “If you give that, on top of the talent we got on this team, we can beat anybody … It’s not easy. We’re still getting to know each other. But we know we got the talent, now it’s all about putting the effort and the hard work and the consistency with it.”

Lillard wrapped up his Newfoundland trip – his first chance to meet his new teammates – with another 7-for-13 shooting effort in the series finale, tallying 16 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes in London’s 108-104 overtime win.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-6 guard made his home debut and got the start in front of the Lightning faithful at Budweiser Gardens. In 26 minutes, he notched nine points and six rebounds.

Antwon Lillard. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

4. Shooters gotta shoot. A bright spot in London’s loss Wednesday? Mareik Isom, the returning forward, who continued to shoot the ball well, putting up a team-best 24 points in the affair. Isom went 8-for-15 in the loss, hitting three of seven 3-point attempts. On the year, he’s scored the second most total points on the team (and is third in points per game behind Burns and Terry Thomas).

Known as a shooter (he set an NBLC free throw record last season), Isom struggled with some injuries and inconsistency last season. In 27 games (14 starts), he averaged 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 22.7 minutes. He’s looking like a sure bet to improve on those numbers significantly in 2023.

“Honestly, it’s just health,” Isom said of his solid start to the season. “I’ve had some issues. But I worked really hard this past summer and I feel good physically … shooting is better and more natural. I just wanted to make sure I was as healthy as I could be and make sure I came into camp in shape.”

It hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Plumb has rewarded the second-year Lightning forward with significant playing time. In London’s first six contests, Isom is averaging 32 minutes per game. He’s shot an impressive 53.3 percent from the field, averaging 16..3 points per contest.

5. Nuga, the new guy, bringing the energy. In addition to Lillard, Mike Nuga was also instrumental in London’s comeback win in Newfoundland last weekend, and he’s been consistently bringing the energy off the bench in his play early on in 2023.

The Toronto native, who played eight games with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the CEBL in 2021-22, had arguably his best game of the season Wednesday night, tallying personal season-highs in both points (21) and rebounds (9). He also added three assists in his 29 minutes of action.

Lightning forward Mike Nuga. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

Apart from energy, Nuga has also brought efficiency. His 52.1% field goal percentage is second on the team behind Isom (among those with more than 20 attempts). In six contests, the 6-foot-2 guard is averaging 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.

That rebounding has been, especially with Terry Thomas having missed each of the Lightning’s last three games due to a foot injury. Nuga has stepped in nicely, playing bigger than his size.

In 13 games at Kent State in 2021-22, he averaged 17.9 points and 5.5 rebounds, so he’s shown his potential before. (His collegiate career also included two years at Eastern Florida State College and a year each at Portland State and UNLV).