The Dallas Mavericks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 126-119 on Wednesday, spoiling Victor Wembanyama’s NBA debut. Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double to assist the team.
There were twelve games that night, and all twenty-four teams were playing for the first time this season.
Only hours after being allowed to play due to a left calf strain, Doncic recorded 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The league’s top draft pick, a 7-foot-4 French forward named Wembanyama, struggled with foul problems and finished with just 15 points. Nine of his points were scored in the fourth quarter during his 23 minutes of action.
Knicks 104, Celtics 108
In the last 2:34, Kristaps Porzingis scored nine of his thirty points to help Boston overcome a late six-point deficit and defeat the visiting New York Knicks.
The Celtics, who led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and had a nine-point lead early in the fourth until the Knicks came storming back, were led by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds.
With 24 points apiece from RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks were just 14 of 26 at the free-throw line, with 5 of 9 coming in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson scored 15 points but was only 6 for 21 from the field, while Julius Randle of New York finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Trail Blazers 111, Clippers 123
With 27 points from Paul George and 23 from Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles easily defeated Portland in its season opener.
Russell Westbrook had 11 points and 13 assists, while Ivica Zubac had 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots for the Clippers, who extended their winning streak against the Trail Blazers to six games, including all three from last season.
In his first game back in Portland, Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points off the bench, and Anfernee Simons added another 18 points. This was the Trail Blazers’ first game without Damian Lillard in twelve years. After asking for a trade, Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason.
Hawks 110, Hornets 116
Charlotte overcame Atlanta while on the road, thanks to P.J. Washington’s 25 points and a game-winning 3-pointer from first-round draft selection Brandon Miller.
Terry Rozier scored 24 points, LaMelo Ball added 15 points and 10 assists, and Mark Williams added 13 points and 15 rebounds to help Washington make 12 of their 18 field goals. Gordon Hayward scored 10 points, while Miller finished with 13.
Despite his terrible shooting from the field, Trae Young scored 23 points, and Jalen Johnson, a Hawks backup, scored 21 points. Saddiq Bey and Clint Capela each scored 15 points apiece for Atlanta, which was 5-for-29 on 3-pointers. Capela also pulled down 13 rebounds.
Wizards 120, Pacers 143
With a career-high six 3-pointers to cap off his 24-point effort, Bruce Brown powered Indiana over Washington in Indianapolis.
Brown made quick work of signing a two-year, $45 million free agent contract in the offseason. He made 8 of 11 field goals, including 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana scored 20 points and disheveled 11 assists in his first game back after agreeing to a maximum five-year contract deal in the offseason.
In his first game back after agreeing to a four-year, $90 million contract in the offseason, Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points.
Nets 113, Cavaliers 114
With 12.1 seconds remaining, Donovan Mitchell made the game-winning 3-pointer to give Cleveland the victory over Brooklyn in New York.
Max Strus is bound to Darius Garland close to the Brooklyn bench. Garland swiftly passed it to Mitchell, who switched on the Nets and calmly sank a three from the left wing after Cameron Johnson of Brooklyn went down.
Strus finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds, making seven of Cleveland’s 17 3-point attempts. Garland contributed, while Isaac Okoro added eighteen. For the Nets, Johnson chipped in with 20 points, while Cam Thomas scored 36.
Bulls 104, Thunder 124
Oklahoma City defeated Chicago with 31 points and 10 assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Over the final fifteen plus minutes, Josh Giddey finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lead the Thunder over the Bulls 45-26. For the Thunder, Jalen Williams scored 16 points and Isaiah Joe added 14.
For the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan scored twenty points. Coby White scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting, while Zach LaVine scored 16 points on just 4-of-16 shooting. Three steals, nine rebounds, and eleven points were all provided by Nikola Vucevic.
Warriors 94, Raptors 97
In his Toronto debut, Dennis Schroder scored 22 points, and the visiting Raptors defeated Minnesota after trailing by a point in the fourth quarter.
With seven more assists, Schroder helped new coach Darko Rajakovic lead his team to victory. The Raptors added 20 more points from OG Anunoby.
Rudy Gobert finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Toronto led by five points in the opening 2:30 of the quarter, but Minnesota led by one point heading into the last frame.
