Basketball New Zealand

Sean Marks started in three straight games for the first time

Kiwi NBA pioneer Sean Marks achieved another career first last week.

With a start against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, just his ninth, Marks was in the New Orleans Hornets starting-five in three straight games for the first time in his nine-year career.

Marks produced season-highs in points, field goals made, field goal attempts, rebounds, assists and minutes in the 116-108 road loss to the T-Wolves, going for 10 points (5/9 FG), seven boards, two assists and a block in 29:13.

The points total was Marks’ most and first double-digit game since going for 16 points (6/8 FG, 1/1 3pt, 3/4 FT) with 13 rebounds, a steal and block in 24 minutes for last year’s Phoenix Suns in their 100-91 home win over the Portland Trailblazers on the last day of the regular season.

Marks had five points (2/5 FG, 1/2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and a steal in 25:16 in a 102-92 home win over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. The 33-year-old big man topped the Hornets with a +20 points plus-minus, meaning New Orleans out-scored New Jersey by 20 points when he was on-court.

Back to the starting from the bench on Tuesday, Marks had four points (2/4 FG) with five boards in 15 minutes in a 101-86 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Before last week’s starts against the Pacers, Nets and T-Wolves, the former Tall Black’s last start came on November 29, 2001 with the Miami Heat in a 78-72 loss at the Chicago Bulls, going scoreless (0/4 FG) with four rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes.

The Hornets (27-14) next game, on Thursday (NZ time) at home against the Denver Nuggets, will likely be Marks’ 150th in an NBA uniform.