26.10.2023
Utah Jazz 114 - 130 Sacramento Kings
Harrison Barnes scored 33 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 130-114 victory over the Utah Jazz in the season opener for both teams. Sacramento buried Utah from the perimeter, knocking down 19 3-pointers compared to the Jazz's 9. Barnes scored 27 points in the first half, while Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Jazz were led by Jordan Clarkson with 24 points. The Kings have now won four of their last five regular season games against Utah. The game was overshadowed by coach Mike Brown expressing his sorrow over a mass shooting in Maine. Sacramento will host the Golden State Warriors next, while the Jazz will host the Los Angeles Clippers.
Indiana Pacers 143 - 120 Washington Wizards
Bruce Brown led the Indiana Pacers to a record-setting offensive performance in their 143-120 rout over the Washington Wizards in the season opener. Brown scored 24 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers, while Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard each recorded double-doubles. The Pacers shot 20 of 43 from behind the arc and had eight players in double figures. Washington struggled to keep up with Indiana's pace and tempo, with Kyle Kuzma leading the Wizards with 25 points. The game marked the highest-scoring season opener in Pacers history, setting the tone for what could be a high-scoring season for Indiana.
Miami Heat 103 - 102 Detroit Pistons
The Miami Heat almost blew a 19-point lead but held off the Detroit Pistons 103-102 in their season opener. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 22 points, while Jimmy Butler added 19 points and 13 rebounds. Cade Cunningham had 30 points and nine assists for the Pistons. Detroit made a late comeback but missed four shots in the final minute to take the lead as Miami escaped with the win. The Heat were 14-8 in close games last season and are now 1-0 this season, while the Pistons dropped the first game of the Monty Williams era.
Toronto Raptors 97 - 94 Minnesota Timberwolves
In their season opener, the Toronto Raptors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-94 with Dennis Schroder scoring 22 points in his debut and O.G. Anunoby adding 20. New coach Darko Rajakovic earned his first victory with the team, and Kawhi Leonard was the last player to score 20 or more in his first game with the Raptors in 2018. Despite Anthony Edwards’ 26 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota, poor offensive decision-making led to their first loss after a 5-0 preseason. Toronto's balanced scoring, including 17 points from Scottie Barnes, and their dominance in fast-break points secured the win. The Raptors will face the Chicago Bulls next, while the Timberwolves will host the Miami Heat.
New York Knicks 104 - 108 Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:29 left and scored 30 points in a strong Celtics debut, helping Boston beat the New York Knicks 108-104. Porzingis, who set a record for the highest-scoring Celtics debut, showed why the Celtics should be NBA Finals contenders after being acquired in the offseason. Jayson Tatum added 34 points and the duo led Boston to victory despite a late surge from the Knicks. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley each scored 24 points for New York, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Celtics' firepower. The win sets up the Celtics to host Miami next, while the Knicks visit Atlanta in their next games.
San Antonio Spurs 119 - 126 Dallas Mavericks
In the season opener, the Mavericks spoiled Victor Wembanyama's NBA debut by defeating the Spurs with a final score of 126-119. Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with a triple-double of 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving contributed with 22 points and Grant Williams added 17. Wembanyama finished with 15 points for San Antonio, despite struggling with foul trouble. The Spurs started strong, but Dallas controlled the second half to secure the victory. The Mavericks will face Brooklyn next, while the Spurs will take on Houston.
LA Clippers 123 - 111 Portland Trail Blazers
The Los Angeles Clippers opened their season with a dominant 123-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, led by Paul George's 27 points and Kawhi Leonard's 23 points. The duo combined for 50 points, with Leonard making all five of his 3-point attempts. Ivica Zubac added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook had 11 points and 13 assists in his Clippers debut. The Blazers, playing without Damian Lillard for the first time in 11 years, had six players in double figures, but couldn't overcome the Clippers' strong start. Los Angeles had 16 dunks and 36 assists, the most in a season opener in franchise history. This win raises expectations for the Clippers as they look to make a deep playoff run this season.
Charlotte Hornets 116 - 110 Atlanta Hawks
PJ Washington led the way with 25 points and rookie Brandon Miller provided a crucial spark off the bench with 13 points, including key baskets in the fourth quarter, as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 116-110 in their season opener. Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, displayed confidence and clutch play down the stretch, helping secure the win for the Hornets. LaMelo Ball had a rough first half but bounced back with four 3-pointers in the second half, finishing with 15 points and 10 assists. Terry Rozier added 24 points for Charlotte. Trae Young led the Hawks with 23 points, but struggled from beyond the arc. The Hornets will host the Pistons next, while the Hawks will face the Knicks in their home opener.
Orlando Magic 116 - 86 Houston Rockets
Cole Anthony led the Orlando Magic to a dominant 116-86 victory over the Houston Rockets in the season opener, scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds off the bench. Franz Wagner added 17 points for Orlando, while newcomers Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks each scored 14 points for Houston. The Magic outrebounded the Rockets 56-31 and forced 18 turnovers in the game. Jonathan Isaac had an impactful performance for Orlando, including a key defensive play that sparked the team. Orlando will look to continue their success on the road against Portland, while Houston will face the San Antonio Spurs next.
Chicago Bulls 104 - 124 Oklahoma City Thunder
In the season opener, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 124-104 victory over the Chicago Bulls with 31 points. The young Thunder team showed promise with Gilgeous-Alexander's 10 assists and contributions from rookies Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey. Chet Holmgren made his NBA debut for the Thunder, while the Bulls struggled with DeMar DeRozan scoring 20 points and Zach LaVine being held scoreless in the first half. The Thunder's 19 three-pointers and strong teamwork proved too much for the Bulls, who held a players' meeting after the game to address needed changes.
Memphis Grizzlies 104 - 111 New Orleans Pelicans
CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 111-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the season opener. McCollum scored 24 points and Williamson added 23 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Ingram contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 31 points in the absence of Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension. The Pelicans dominated the boards with a 52-37 advantage and capitalized on Memphis' mistakes. Despite committing 21 turnovers, New Orleans maintained control of the game, with Williamson scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The Pelicans will take on the New York Knicks next, while the Grizzlies will face the Denver Nuggets.
Brooklyn Nets 113 - 114 Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, including key baskets in the fourth quarter, as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 114-113 in their season opener. Max Strus filled in for the injured Jarrett Allen and contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Cam Thomas set a league record for most points off the bench in a season opener with 36 points for the Nets. Despite a strong performance from Brooklyn, Mitchell's late-game heroics led Cleveland to their first road win in a season opener since 2000. The Nets struggled defensively, allowing the Cavaliers to shoot 46.8% from the field and 17-for-43 from 3-point range. The Cavaliers will next host Oklahoma City, while the Nets visit Dallas following the trade of Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks.