Mario Hezonja NBA Return Runs Into a Familiar Hurdle in Cleveland

Mario Hezonja faced a difficult preseason debut in his return to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, identifying the length of opposing defenders as his biggest hurdle. Playing his first NBA game after six seasons in Europe, Hezonja posted five points, five rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes off the bench during Cleveland's 124-113 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson noted that Hezonja is still adjusting as the team looks to finalize a 10-man regular-season rotation. The 31-year-old forward, who signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract following an MVP campaign with Real Madrid, is competing for wing minutes alongside stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.