The NBA season opened with a thrilling slate of games as 24 teams took the court for their season debuts. Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks’ star, provided a standout performance, recording a triple-double to secure a victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
In a high-scoring contest, Luka Doncic stole the show, notching 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, just hours after being cleared to play despite a left calf strain. The Mavericks emerged victorious with a 126-119 win, spoiling the NBA debut of Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4, 19-year-old forward from France who was the top draft pick for the San Antonio Spurs.
Here’s a quick roundup of some other exciting games on the opening night:
Celtics 108, Knicks 104: Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 30 points as the Boston Celtics overcame a late six-point deficit to edge the New York Knicks. Jayson Tatum contributed 34 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics in a hard-fought victory.
Clippers 123, Trail Blazers 111: Paul George and Kawhi Leonard powered the Los Angeles Clippers to a commanding win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Ivica Zubac contributed with a double-double, and Russell Westbrook had a strong performance, extending the Clippers’ winning streak against the Trail Blazers.
Hornets 116, Hawks 110: P.J. Washington’s 25 points, combined with Brandon Miller’s clutch 3-pointer, led the Charlotte Hornets to a victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young put up 23 points for the Hawks, but they struggled from beyond the arc.
Pacers 143, Wizards 120: The Indiana Pacers secured a resounding victory over the Washington Wizards, with Bruce Brown shining with a career-high six 3-pointers and Tyrese Haliburton’s double-double.
Cavaliers 114, Nets 113: Donovan Mitchell’s go-ahead 3-pointer in the final seconds lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a one-point victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Max Strus had a standout performance with 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
Thunder 124, Bulls 104: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and 10 assists propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory against the Chicago Bulls. The Thunder’s strong fourth-quarter performance sealed the win.
Kings 130, Jazz 114: Harrison Barnes led the Sacramento Kings with 33 points in their victory over the Utah Jazz. The Kings displayed a dominant performance on the road, securing a lopsided win.
Magic 116, Rockets 86: Cole Anthony and Gary Harris led the Orlando Magic to a convincing win over the Houston Rockets. The Magic’s bench played a crucial role in this season opener.
Heat 103, Pistons 102: The Miami Heat held on for a one-point victory over the Detroit Pistons after nearly blowing a 19-point lead. Bam Adebayo’s late-game heroics secured the win.
Raptors 97, Timberwolves 94: Dennis Schroder’s 22 points in his Toronto debut helped the Raptors overcome a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves in a closely contested game.
Pelicans 111, Grizzlies 104: CJ McCollum’s 24 points and balanced scoring from the New Orleans Pelicans’ starters propelled them to a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, who began a 25-game suspension.
The NBA season opener delivered a thrilling night of basketball, with standout performances and closely contested games setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
