Yi Jianlian starts strong with Nets

The new N-B-A season is underway, and Chinese sensation Yi Jianlian is off to an impressive start. The New Jersey Nets forward scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a last-second loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Yi finished off a fast break with a flying jam to open the scoring for the Nets.

In the second quarter, Devin Harris dumped it in to Yi for another dunk. The Nets led by double digits on the road.

Early in the third, Yi made his magic work from the outside, too. He scored from the baseline to make it 55-43 Nets.

But New Jersey lost its step in the final stanza. The Timberwolves fought back behind rookie guard Jonny Flynn. He drove the floor and tied the score at 93-all late in the game.

And Flynn would play a role in the game's final play with the score still tied. His jumper bounced away, but Damien Wilkins grabbed the rebound and sank the put-back basket at the buzzer. Minnesota walks away with a 2 point victory.

Yi Jianlian with 17 pionts, 12 rebounds says, "We lost by failing to hold off counter attacks. We committed too many turnovers, our offense was weak and we lost the final rebound."