Wagler came off the bench and finished with 15 points, five assists and five rebounds. He was 4-for-8 from the field and 3-for-6 from the 3-point line.
The 19-year-old became the second-youngest player in league history, behind LeBron James, to have at least 15 points, five assists and five rebounds while shooting at least 50% from the floor in his debut, according to the team.
Wagler was the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Illinois and is expected to be a promising prospect for the franchise.
While there’s an expectation that it will be an underwhelming season for the Clippers, it will allow for a rookie like Wagler to gain valuable playing time and experience.
The rookie checked into the game with 4:29 left in the first quarter. He managed to get involved early, being credited with an assist after a 26-foot 3-pointer made by Derrick Jones Jr. with 4:15 left in the first frame.
Wagler scored his first regular season career points with a driving jump off an assists from Kobe Sanders that helped give the Clippers a 30-17 lead with 3:40 left in the quarter.
"He's already shown he is mature and he doesn't get rattled after just being around him for the last few months, whether he is making or missing shots," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Wagler's debut. "He is always the same."
Wagler followed up his first career basket with a 26-foot running pull-up 3-pointer, helping the Clippers build a 41-26 lead with 48 seconds left in the first quarter.
Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler talked about his regular-season debut, Darius Garland’s performance and the fans at Intuit Dome. pic.twitter.com/UusW1YAepm
The Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball era in Minnesota could not have gotten off to a better start.
Anthony Edwards was the best player on the floor and knocked down nine 3-pointers on his way to 45 points, sparking a comfortable 131-106 win in Miami.
ANT JUST WENT OFF TO LEAD MINNESOTA TO VICTORY!
45 PTS 10 REB 9 3PM
FIRST PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY WITH 45+ PTS, 10+ REB, AND 5+ 3PM IN A SEASON OPENER pic.twitter.com/m1Y3cKKUAE
Just last year, Edwards dropped 41 on Portland in Minnesota's season opener. Edwards has now joined elite company as only the third player in NBA history to have more than one 40+ point game on opening night, joining Michael Jordan (three) and Wilt Chamberlain (four).
This was also Giannis Antetokounmpo's debut for Miami and he looked like vintage Greek Freak with 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, plus pulling down six boards. Despite that, the Miami offense stalled out, scoring less than a point per possession, while the defense the Heat were banking on struggled to slow the Timberwolves guards.
LaMelo Ball had 21 points and six dimes for the Timberwolves, plus got away with an epic, egregious travel.
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on October 21, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (0-1) opened the regular season on Wednesday with a 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets (1-0), and for about 12 minutes, it looked like we might get a competitive basketball game.
Dallas actually started well. P.J. Washington knocked down the first basket of the season from three, Cooper Flagg hit one of his own, and Max Christie made a tough bucket as the Mavericks traded punches with Houston early. Washington was especially good through the first eight minutes, hitting two threes and getting into the lane off the dribble, while Flagg added a difficult floater and consistently looked dangerous whenever Dallas actually put the ball in his hands. The Mavericks even shot 6-of-13 from three in the opening quarter, but Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun kept Houston alive, and the Rockets closed the period stronger to take a 32-26 lead.
Then the game completely broke open.
Houston opened the second quarter with a Christie turnover, a Jabari Smith Jr. basket and an Amen Thompson transition alley-oop, quickly pushing the lead to double digits. Flagg briefly settled Dallas down by getting to the free-throw line, but the Mavericks couldn’t sustain their offense. Morez Johnson Jr. scored his first NBA points on a lob from Naji Marshall and later hit a turnaround jumper, but he also picked up four fouls before halftime. Daniel Gafford struggled, Zaccharie Risacher couldn’t get anything going offensively, and the Mavericks spent too many possessions asking secondary players to create while Flagg and Kyrie Irving watched.
The shooting disappeared with it. Dallas missed 21 consecutive threes at one point and made only four field goals in the entire second quarter. Meanwhile, Houston could not miss. Smith, Sengun, Durant, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović all contributed as the Rockets scored 38 points in the period and took an absurd 70-38 lead into halftime. Houston shot 59.5 percent from the floor in the first half while Dallas managed just 33.3 percent.
At least the Mavericks did not completely quit.
Flagg came out of halftime attacking, and the team looked more alive when he ran things. Kyrie started finding some offense, Marcus Sasser gave Dallas a spark off the bench, and Naji Marshall had a productive stretch as the Mavericks finally started stringing together competent possessions. Flagg scored from the paint, the midrange, and the line while also creating turnovers on defense. Dallas still entered the fourth down 100-76, but the second half at least looked like an NBA basketball game again.
That continued into the fourth. Risacher showed some life with consecutive dunks and finished with five steals, while Sasser was outstanding, scoring 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 4-of-5 from three. Kyrie finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, but Flagg was easily Dallas’ best player, pouring in 32 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block on 10-of-17 shooting while attempting 13 free throws. Sasser’s 17 and Marshall’s 16 added scoring, but Houston’s starting lineup was simply too much. Durant finished with 30, Smith scored 30 of his own, Sengun had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and Houston shot 52.2 percent overall and 44.4 percent from three.
Dallas made the final score slightly more respectable, but the 128-110 loss was effectively decided long before the fourth quarter.
Flagg’s second-half explosion
Flagg was easily the best thing about an otherwise miserable opening night, which made his lack of usage even more frustrating.
He finished with 32 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block while shooting 10-of-17 from the floor and getting to the line 13 times. Whenever Dallas actually let him lead the offense, something happened. He got downhill, drew fouls, created turnovers defensively, and looked comfortable pulling up and fading away when Houston cut off the rim.
The frustrating part was how often Dallas went away from him, especially in the first half. Dusty May pulled Flagg for a long stretch early in the second quarter, and the Mavericks spent those minutes trying to manufacture offense through a collection of secondary creators. By the time Flagg returned, Houston had already blown the game open.
You are going to get turnovers when you give a 19-year-old this much responsibility, and Flagg had four. That is fine. The alternative cannot be watching the offense collapse while your best player barely touches the ball.
If Wednesday showed anything, it is that Dallas needs to live with the mistakes and let Flagg drive this thing.
Dusty May’s rotations
May went to the bench early and often, completely changing the rhythm of the game.
Johnson was one of the first reserves to enter. May quickly started experimenting, and Naji, Risacher, Sasser, Marshall, and Sergio de Larrea all got early opportunities. By the opening minutes of the second quarter, Sasser had replaced Kyrie, and Johnson was already getting significant center minutes. Soon after, de Larrea and Marshall were sharing the floor while Flagg sat.
There is nothing wrong with testing combinations, but Dallas did not have enough creation on the floor during those stretches.
The offense fell apart without Flagg and Kyrie. Turnovers piled up, shots came from the wrong players, and Houston punished almost every mistake. Risacher struggled offensively, Johnson got into foul trouble immediately, and Gafford never found a rhythm. The Mavericks made four shots in the entire second quarter and went from trailing by six to trailing by 32.
Some of that is on the players, but May has to recognize which combinations cannot survive without one of his primary creators on the floor.
Swiss cheese for defense
Giving up 70 points in a half is bad enough. Giving up 100 before the fourth quarter makes winning almost impossible unless you have one of the best offenses in basketball.
Dallas does not. Houston shot 59.5% in the first half and 52.2% for the game. Durant and Smith combined for 60 points, Sengun consistently punished Dallas inside, and Houston finished with 32 assists on 47 made baskets.
The Mavericks lack the offensive firepower to win games in the 120s and 130s consistently. Flagg can have nights like this. Kyrie can still score efficiently. Sasser can occasionally catch fire. But Dallas cannot require all of that to stay competitive.
The point-of-attack defense has to be better. The transition defense has to be better. The communication has to be better. If this team is going to win consistently, its defense has to keep games manageable on nights when the offense goes cold.
On Wednesday, Houston was comfortable almost immediately, and by the time Dallas found some life, there was too much damage to undo.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 21: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz during the second half at FedExForum on October 21, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game 1 of 82 was not exactly what the Utah Jazz and their fans envisioned coming into this new era of ‘Mountain Basketball’. After a strong first quarter, the Jazz could never put a bottle on the Ty Jerome show, and to make matters worse, Utah’s stars never really got themselves going to counter the career night from Jerome.
The Good
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 21: Ty Jerome #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 21, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ty Jerome was simply sensational tonight. In 32 minutes, Jerome finished with 45 points (career high) on 17/25 shooting. He also had 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The Jazz had no answer for him at any point, and he led the Grizzlies to a dominant home opening win.
Keyonte George had a good night himself for the Utah Jazz. He finished with 22 points and 5 assists. Key was really the only Jazz player who didn’t look completely overwhelmed by the super-aggressive defense that the Grizzlies played. Other players had moments, sure, but Key looked under control for most of the game. That is a really promising sign!
ACE BAILEY! Ace was an absolute menace on the defensive end for the Jazz. He finished with 3 blocks. I thought Ace did a great job meeting the Grizzlies’ physicality head-on and taking on the challenge defensively. His shot wasn’t falling for a large majority of the game but the defensive strides from Ace were simply eye-popping
Darryn Peterson’s start was awesome. He was shooting the ball extremely well in the first quarter. He was getting to his spots, drawing fouls, and overall looked the part of a number two overall pick.
The Bad
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 21: Zach Edey #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against Isaiah Collier #8 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at FedExForum on October 21, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The margin between bad and ugly in this recap is going to be very thin. For now, I am going to put Isaiah Collier and, honestly, the entire bench unit (sans Ace Bailey) into the bad section for tonight. Collier has elite speed, and tonight that speed was just bad. Memphis pressured the ball 94 feet after made baskets to speed up the Jazz. Collier’s out-of-control start to the second quarter started a snowball the Jazz didn’t have the firepower to stop. Additionally, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski were not good on defense and didn’t contribute on offense either. Not great.
Cam Boozer only shot 2/15 from the field and 0/6 from three. He contributed in other ways, pulling down 11 boards.
The Ugly
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 21: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the second half against Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on October 21, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr…. That was a really horrible game. Jaren was playing in his first game in Memphis since the trade, and he just looked overwhelmed out there. He fouled out midway through the fourth quarter and was frustrated all night by Memphis’s physical defense. If the Jazz are going to challenge their Western Conference foes for a postseason spot, 10/23 shooting for 33 points is unacceptable from two of your all-star-caliber players.
The Jazz defense didn’t actually look horrible tonight. The rebounding, on the other hand? Yikes. The Grizzlies manhandled the Jazz on the boards, and because of that, they got 17 more shots than Utah. I don’t really care who you are or who you are playing; if you give the opponent 17 more chances to score, you’re not going to win many ball games.
The Merciful
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 21: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz puts on his jersey before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 21, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It is 1 of 82. The sky is not falling. The sun will rise in the morning. You can’t go 41-41 if you don’t lose 41 times. This team is still really young and figuring each other out. We can all take a deep breath. It is going to be okay. We just need to enjoy the journey, Jazz fans.
Before Luka Dončić and Steph Curry traded buckets under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena, they traded fits.
Opening night doubled as a runway, with the Lakers and Warriors arriving in everything from tailored designer looks to laid-back luxury as the NBA’s biggest stars made their first fashion statements of the new season.
Dončić embraced the spotlight of his first Lakers opener, Curry reminded everyone why he’s still one of the league’s coolest veterans, and the supporting casts gave fans plenty to talk about before the opening tip.
Brooklyn dropped a disappointing opener 110-103 to the visiting Hornets before a sellout crowd of 17,548 at Barclays Center on Wednesday.
It was the Nets’ sixth straight season-opening defeat. And this was a deflating one for a team trying to put three tough seasons behind it and turn the page. They desperately wanted to come out of the gate well and build some momentum.
Moussa Diabate rises up for a dunk during the Nets’ 110-103 loss to the Hornets on Oct. 21, 2026 at Barclays Center. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Losing to a shorthanded, eminently beatable Charlotte team with a grueling six-game gantlet looming risks building all the wrong kinds of momentum.
But the Nets were sloppy with the ball and beaten on the glass.
“We’ve got to — including myself, I put it on me — we’ve got to impose our physicality on those things and hit people first. So I’ll set a tone with that,” Randle said. “A lot of times rebounding is just wanting to go get it, and wanting your will to go get the ball or not let your man get the ball. So we all got to be better on that front.”
Randle had 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, joining James Harden and Kyrie Irving as the only Nets with at least 30-5-5 in their debut.
And Porter added 26 points, seven boards and three steals.
But it wasn’t enough, thanks to getting outscored 20-8 in second chance points and committing 22 turnovers to just 22 assists.
This against a Hornets team minus Kon Knueppel and Coby White. And with six straight upcoming against teams projected for 44.5 wins by Las Vegas bookmakers.
Julius Randle argues with an official during the Nets’ season-opening loss to the Hornets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Yeah, we did a lot of things that were just self-inflicted. Things that we know we can be better at, and we will be,” Randle said. “We could have been better.”
They should’ve been better.
With the Hornets depleted, the Nets could concentrate on stopping Brandon Miller — but they couldn’t even slow him early. He had 12 of his 18 points right out of the gate to put Brooklyn in a 21-15 hole with 2:37 left in the first quarter.
The Nets spent much of the rest of the night chasing.
Noah Clowney (left) and Ryan Kalkbrenner scuffle during the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Porter was held to just six points in a muted first half. He drilled two quick 3-pointers coming out of the break to pull Brooklyn within four, and his 4-point play gave them a 64-62 lead with 8:12 left in the third. He even notched steals on back-to-back possessions.
But sloppy turnovers and coughing up long offensive rebounds on missed Hornets 3s came back to bite them.
That, and poor play from young guards Egor Dëmin and Nolan Traore, who combined for just seven points on 2-for-14 shooting, 0-for-5 from deep with two assists and five turnovers.
“I’m not very happy with how I end up playing the game. I started with two scored buckets, but then just got slower from a standpoint of my intensity. I’ve definitely got to bring higher energy, whether I’m on the ball, off the ball, in the corner and wherever I am, whatever position I’m playing,” Dëmin said. “I missed every single shot from 3; some shots that I believe were supposed to go in. But it happens … getting downhill again, I’ve got to get better at finishing, because the situations are there.
“Opportunities are there, everything is given to me and I just got to be able to execute on the level that I want to be at.”
On a minutes limit, Brown was limited to six points and three assists in nearly 20 minutes of action, but looked sharp.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards looks on in front of Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks drop their first game of the post-Giannis era on the road to the Washington Wizards. Despite the loss, there was a lot to like, including 24 points and nine assists from Tyler Herro, and Kasparas Jakucionis leading all scorers off the bench with 15. There was just nothing Milwaukee could do about Anthony Davis, who beasted Milwaukee to the tune of 34 points and nine boards.
Kyle Kuzma and Jaime Jaquez Jr. opened the season with Milwaukee’s first two buckets. For the rest of the first quarter, the Bucks maintained a strong pace: Jaquez, as we expected, was the calming presence amid the madness and nerves, going 3/4 for seven points and three rebounds in the opening frame. His motor was high, and the rest of the team matched that energy (even if some offseason rust showed). The Bucks shot 40% in the first quarter, including an impressive move by Ousmane Dieng off a high dribble that split two defenders and finished at the rim. Notably, Jenkins didn’t hesitate to sub early and often: 10 players saw four or more minutes in the first, and while the results were mixed, that was what fans wanted to see. After one, the Wizards led 25-23.
The second quarter began with Brayden Burries drawing a foul and hitting two free throws to register his first points in the NBA. Burries first field goal—a smooth and-one after zipping past Tre Johnson at the top of the key—put the Bucks ahead 28-25. The pace and energy continued into the second quarter: Milwaukee went on a 9-0 run over two minutes as Jaquez kept converting high-percentage shots at the rim, leading 39-34. The ball moved quickly all quarter, and Milwaukee outscored Washington 12-2 in transition. Herro would close out the period leading the team in scoring with 14 points on 50% shooting, while the Bucks would out-rebound (26-22), out-assist (14-11), and outscore Washington in the quarter (33-26) to head into halftime up 56-51.
The third quarter started at the same pace and with the same ball movement, with Jaquez and Herro scoring 10 of the Bucks’ first 13 points. The strong play continued, and neither team shied away from contact, playing a grittier style than fans have seen in some time. However, the visitors faced a major problem: Anthony Davis. Davis monstered Milwaukee’s smaller, weaker front line, scoring 30 points on 10/19 shooting in just 27 minutes. Myles Turner responded on offence, finally getting going with a few buckets (not that he was any great shakes at containing AD on the other end). Burries closed the quarter with back-to-back triples, but the Wizards kept it close, down just 93-90 after three. Milwaukee shot a crazy 63% for the quarter, but they struggled with their turnovers, giving it away 13 times.
After a few shaky possessions to start, Jenkins was forced to call an early timeout, and the Bucks responded with a Rollins tip-in layup to regain the lead. However, that was the last time Milwaukee kept close contact; the Wizards then went on an electrifying 10-0 run while putting several Bucks in foul trouble. Herro returned around the eight-minute mark and scored a few tough buckets, but his veteran savvy wasn’t enough as the Wizards extended their lead. The Bucks did strike back at one point, scoring six quick points to cut the lead to seven, but their turnover issues ultimately did them in. The Wizards kept feasting in the paint, dominating the Bucks 70-50 there. Milwaukee’s shooting ran out of gas in the fourth as Washington put the hurt on them, winning the fourth 38-23 and the game 128-116.
Stat That Stood Out
32: The total number of fouls the Bucks committed, leading to 41 free throw attempts for the Wizards.
Obscene Overreaction
I’ve seen enough: pay Jaime Jaquez Jr. NOW! Jaquez showcased all his talents, playing starter-level minutes and finishing second on the team in scoring with 22 points; he also led the team with seven rebounds. His three-point shot looked rusty, but overall, he played a fast-paced, high-spirited game that seemed to positively influence everyone around him.
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 21: Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 21, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It would’ve been difficult to dream up a better day for the Brooklyn Nets to begin their season. It was the type of autumn afternoon you imagine when you’re longing for October in the wet heat of July and August. It was cool, crisp outside, with friendly winds, and a sun still peaking through. When “basketball season” starts, that’s what it’s supposed to feel like on the east coast.
And, indoors, the Nets matched Mother Nature’s stage-setting skills, debuting a new floor and uniforms. You don’t often get consensus opinions on things like that, and those of a positive nature are usually even harder to come by. However, both the threads and the hardwood already seem to be well-liked by fans, only adding to the anticipation for tonight.
Then, there are the players: a bushel of sophomores eager to take the next step, a rookie with more promise than any the team has seen in years, and a group of veterans, many with a different point to prove, yet united by their need to prove it.
It was all enough to give a carbon steel sports car goosebumps. It was only right that the Nets gave us an entertaining game in return, even if not a win.
Brooklyn had little trouble carrying over their offensive rhythm from the preseason over into tonight. They started the contest 5-7 from the field. The first points of the year went to Julius Randle, who spun off old teammate Naz Reid for a fadeaway jumper near the charity stripe.
“I was able to find my spots in the flow and rhythm and offense, but honestly I feel like I can get a lot better,” he said.
Randles teammates joined him quickly on the scoreboard. Egor Dëmin came around a screen for a mid-range look around that area soon after, still adding to his shot diet here in the regular season. A few plays later, Michael Porter Jr. stepped into a three after catching a skip pass along the wing. He’s been nailing those for years.
However, when Day’Ron Sharpe exited, so did the music. After picking up his second foul with around seven to play, Mo Wagner subbed in for him. Charlotte took advantage and eventually the lead with about five to go the first, closing it on an extended 22-12 run. They ended up with 14 points in the paint and five offensive boards in the frame as well.
Mikel Brown Jr. also made his NBA debut amid that stretch. He checked in with 3:57 to go in the first. Ironically, the sharpshooter got his first three points as a pro the hard way…
“Yeah, it was great,” MBJ said of his first game. “I enjoyed it. Obviously didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but I enjoyed being out there. First of many.”
Brown looked spry and eager to takeoff in the first half, showing no signs of a bum ankle during the training camp. He almost postered Ryan Kalkbrenner early in the second, getting well above him only to see the ball ricochet out of the cylinder.
You’re going to have those opportunities,“ he said of the near-jam. ”Just got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them when it comes to that stuff. But I’m always going to have that aggressive mindset.”
By all accounts, he looked like a kid out there just having fun. He finished with six points, three assists, and three rebounds while shooting 2-8 from the field and 1-3 from deep.
“He’s gonna be great, man,” Randle said postgame. “I said it from the beginning, but his vision, understanding how to play, make reads off of pick and rolls, or just make the right play every single time comes really natural to him. He’s going to be amazing. He did great. Like, he did exactly how I would expect a first year player to do first game. He was aggressive. I can tell he’s a little sped up at times, but he’s going to continue to get better and better. I think his future is going to be really, really bright in this league.”
“See a lot of confidence, see a lot of poise for a rookie in his first game,” Sharpe added. “He wasn’t afraid of the lights.”
Despite a stoppage after Noah Clowney got into a not-so-friendly game of ring around the rosie with Kalkbrenner, the second quarter gave us some fun back-and-forth action. The Hornets maintained their lead throughout it though, going into the half up 54-48.
Even with Sharpe coming back in to play nearly nine minutes in the second, Charlotte doubled them up in paint scoring for the period, going into the half ahead there by a 30-18 margin. Of course, its early, but the team’s perceived weakness going into the season has been as advertised so far. Nevertheless, Brooklyn hung tough shooting 7-16 from deep in the first while Charlotte shot just 6-24.
Randle hit two of those triples, leading the Nets, and all players minus Brandon Miller (17 PTS) with 15 first half points. It was an uncharacteristically quiet half for Porter Jr, who tied Dëmin and Brown Jr. with just six by that point.
You know the rules with him, though. If he’s not hitting shots now, he’s going to later.
MPJ began the third with a quick 10 points in the periods first four minutes. The last four game via an and-one triple that also pushed the Nets back into the lead for the first time since the 5:37 mark of the first.
However, a solution to Brooklyn’s other problem didn’t present itself so easily. Still looking undersized, on the ensuing Charlotte possession, Brooklyn gave up five shots in one possession. The final was a three from Reid which gave the Hornets the lead once more. Charlotte ended up beating the Nets in second chance points 20-8.
“Just help with the technique,” Fernández said. “If your man doesn’t crash, you can go sandwich and help. Like, it’s all these things that we’ve worked on that obviously we didn’t execute, but I don’t think it was a matter of effort. Our guys played hard. You know, they tried, tried their best. We’re just not there yet to be the hardest playing team for 48 minutes.”
“We got to look at the film,” Randle added. “I think we got to, including myself, I put it on me. We got to impose our physicality on those things and hit people first. So, I’ll set a tone with that. But I think a lot of times rebounding is just wanting to go get it and wanting your will to go get the ball or not let your man get the ball. So, we all got to be better on that front.”
That triple also seemed to rip the seal off the basket for the Hornet shooters. After putting up a tour date in the first half, they went 6-13 from three in the third. A few isolation buckets from Randle kept the Nets within striking distance, though still down five entering the final frame.
Benefitting from a few loose balls that bounced out to a few Nets in position to cherry-pick, Brooklyn cut the it to four with about eight to play. And while that that technically made it a close game, the contest didn’t give that impression. When you’re unable to get stops all night, and down by two or three possessions, it often feels like your down 20 or 30 points.
Getting seals from Kalbrenner and Moussa Diabaté like they’re Nic Claxton and Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder continued to find space to score on the interior. In turn, the Hornets continued to stay at an arms distance on the scoreboard.
A Randle and-one got it back down to six with about a minute to go, and the building the loudest it had been since the player introductions (we’re not counting David Beckham’s Who’s in the House appearance), but turnover followed by three straight misses quickly reduced the volume in the building and Brooklyn’s comeback chances.
Julius finished with 33 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds while shooting 11-18 from the field and 3-5 from deep. There’s been no shortage of fantastic Nets debuts over the past 10 years, and this one certainly stacks up with the best of them. Porter Jr. added 26 while shooting 10-21 from the field and 5-11 from deep. He also snatched seven boards.
The stats take a nosedive after that. Nobody else reached double digits. Noah Clowney got closest with nine points to go with three boards and a steal, but he also fouled out of the game with 3:44 to go. After solid preseason showings, Egor Dëmin and Nolan Traoré each struggled, combining to shoot 2-14 from the field and commit five turnovers.
“Mine? Not very good,” Dëmin said of his game tonight. “I’m not very happy with how I end up playing the game. I started with two scored buckets, but then kind of just got slower from a standpoint of my intensity…I think I missed every single shot from the three, some shots that I believe were supposed to go in, but it happens. Obviously, it’s a game. Getting downhill again, I got to get better at finishing because the situations are there. Opportunities are there, everything is given to me and I just got to be able to execute on the level that I want to be at. So, I’m going to be back in the gym as soon as I can, as soon as possible, and working on these thing”
“I think their intentions were great and can clean up a lot of different things, turnovers, setup, calling plays, all those things,” Fernández added. “But we’ll watch film with them and we’ll make them better. And the next time, I’ll still want them to — Nolan touch the paint, Egor will be ready to shoot the ball, and all those things. I mean, that’s the NBA. One day you don’t make them, other day they go in, and you just got to stay ready for the next game.”
Well, he’s not wrong. Here come the another 81.
Final: Charlotte Hornets 110, Brooklyn Nets 103
Milestone Watch
With 32 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Julius Randle joined James Harden and Kyrie Irving as the only Nets with at least 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in their team debut.
Next Up
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re just getting started. Brooklyn will hit the road for a date with Kenny Atkinson and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. The Nets haven’t beaten Cavs since March of 2024. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST.
-- As expected, head coach Jordi Fernández went with Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle and Day’Ron Sharpe as his starting five on opening night against a Hornets squad without star Kon Knueppel and Coby White.
The group got out to a hot start, making five of their first seven shots and building an early 11-5 lead. But then they went cold and couldn't contain Brandon Miller, as the former No. 2 pick scored 10 straight during a 14-3 run. Miller finished with 12 in the first and helped Charlotte go up 27-23 at the end of the quarter.
-- No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. entered for the first time with 3:57 remaining in the first quarter. He scored his first bucket on a strong and-one layup, providing a much-needed spark for the offense and kept it going in the second quarter, sinking a three right out of the gate.
-- Tensions were rising in the second quarter with the two sides going back-and-forth, culminating with Noah Clowney and Ryan Kalkbrenner pulling and shoving each other and both players receiving technical fouls for the tussle. The physical contest continued and the Nets defense began to pick it up, with Sharpe making a big block at the rim and Ellis getting a steal in the backcourt for an easy layup.
Although, Charlotte still outscored Brooklyn in the second quarter (27-25) and led, 54-48, at the half. Miller had a game-high 17 at the break, while Randle kept the Nets close with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
-- Porter finally got going in the third quarter by making two straight three-pointers and Randle scored inside to cut down the Hornets' lead. Porter kept it going and drilled another three-pointer, converting a four-point play, to put the Nets back up 64-62 with about eight minutes left in the quarter. But then it was Grayson Allen's turn to catch fire, hitting three three-pointers of his own as the Hornets retook the lead. Brooklyn's high-scoring period (33-32) brought them to within five, 86-81, heading into the fourth quarter.
-- Inconsistencies on defense continued to hurt the Nets, as they couldn't stop Dennis Schroder and went down 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. Any comeback attempt was stopped at a four-point gap as Charlotte was able to hold on for the rest of the game.
Both teams shot just 45 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers each, but the Hornets key to victory was outrebounding the Nets 43-38, recording 20 second-chance points, and dominating the paint all night.
-- Randle finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, joining James Harden and Kyrie Irving as the only Nets with at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in their team debut, per Nets PR. Porter was second on the team in scoring with 26 points (5-for-11 from three), while Dëmin struggled with just four points (2-for-10) and Brown had six points in 20 minutes in his debut.
Game MVP: Grayson Allen
Allen was lights out from deep (6-for-9) from three and finished with a team-high 21 points and was a plus-22 off the bench for the Hornets.
Highlights
Julius Randle gets on the board in his Nets debut 👏 A smooth turnaround jumper! https://t.co/h99BqiTQIX
The Los Angeles Clippers will start the season with several notable players absent to start the season.
The team’s initial injury report for the season opener against the Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 21 featured five players ruled out.
Brandon Ingram will be the biggest absence for the team, considering he would’ve been a potential starter and was one of the primary trade assets in the package sent over by the Toronto Raptors for Kawhi Leonard during the offseason.
Ingram was named an All-Star last season before finishing with 77 starts for the Raptors last season. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He is recovering from right heel surgery he had in May. He is also dealing with a partially torn Achilles tendon.
A timetable has not been set for Ingram’s return.
Max Strus is another new addition to the roster who will miss time to start the season. He suffered a right plantar fascia partial tear during a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Hawaii on Oct. 4.
He was initially seen limping back to the locker room after he tried to cut across the top of the key to receive a pass from guard Darius Garland during the first quarter. Strus was acquired in August as part of a multi-team trade that involved the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Bradley Beal are among the returns on the injury report.
Konan Niederhäuser, Beal, Ingram and Strus are making progress in their recovery but are not expected to travel with the team to Oklahoma City.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 21: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors reacts alongside teammate RJ Barrett #9 in the first half of their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In an outstanding night of Raptors basketball, Toronto’s season started with a blowout win at home against the Chicago Bulls.
Was it an efficient win? Not really. Were the Chicago Bulls putting up much of a fight? Again, not really. But at this point in the season, it’s a lot less about getting overly bogged down in semantics, and more on starting the campaign off on the right foot. And that, the Raptors did.
From the outset of the contest, the Raptors were in near total control of the game’s flow. Raining down threes and playing punishing defence. RJ Barrett opened up the scoring, and looked invigorated on the other side of the ball as well. Guarding Josh Giddey, Chicago’s point guard finished the game with two points, shooting 1-10 from the field. Not a great look for the SLOB Wizard to start off the season.
Barnes showed out with his midrange game, looking like he’d picked up from tricks from Kawhi Leonard over the summer. While Barnes had some issues with accuracy — going 8-19 — it’s also hard to argue with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The same goes for Kawhi Leonard, who also posted 23 points and six assists, along with a filthy four steals. Was it ideal that he went 5-17 from the field? No, certainly not. But at times, arguing with success gets nobody anywhere.
Without a true centre, the Bulls were a mess, with matching efficiency issues — notably from rookie Caleb Wilson, who had the ultimate green light tonight. No Nic Claxton allowed the Raptors to feast, though Josh Smith played well in his absence for Chicago. Jakob Poelel played 22 minutes and had only three points. While six rebounds and two stocks isn’t awful, production from Yak wasn’t a highlight tonight.
Garbage time started with nearly 5 minutes left in the game. And while usually, empty stands are a bad sign, but the mass exodus of the Toronto faithful showcased some real faith in the Raps to get it done without their moral support. Considering Avicii and Drake was being blasted with the game nearly over, the Bulls handled the loss with more dignity than others might.
TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 21: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the first half of the NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Raptors started the season strong, finishing the game to a chorus of cheering fans and standing ovations. One might only hope the next 81 are this easy.
“I know, being on the other side of the Bay-LA rivalry always is, how big those games are, how entertaining those games are,” Looney told The California Post. “So I’m excited to be on the other side and part of that journey.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kevon Looney participates in pregame warmups before a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Looney’s excitement extended beyond Wednesday, and the three other times during the regular season that he’ll be able to play against the franchise he spent the first decade of his NBA career with.
The 12-year veteran center is back in Southern California after spending his lone collegiate season at UCLA before the Warriors selected him with the No. 30 pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
Kevon Looney of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives to the arena before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
His wife, fitness model and entrepreneur Mariah Simone Winston, with the two getting married over the summer, is from Los Angeles.
Throughout the years, her and her family would ask the 6-foot-9 center about the possibility of playing for the Lakers.
“I’m like, ‘ahh who knows?’,” Looney would respond.
But when the Lakers were among the handful of playoff-hopeful teams that expressed interest in the veteran big man during his free agency, he immediately got excited.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kevon Looney drives to the basket during an NBA preseason basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
“When looking at the options and the landscape or opportunities, it was like, ‘all right, this is a team, a place I like to be at and it’s a chance to win and play for something’,” Looney told the Post. “It hit every mark that I wanted to be at. I’m here all summer training and everything. It was an easy transition for me. I got a lot of ties here.”
“It wasn’t on my radar at the end of the season, but when it popped up, I’m like, ‘oh s— , this is a great opportunity.”
Joining the Lakers puts Looney back in a familiar environment even though he’s over 350 miles south of where he started his NBA career.
The three-time NBA champion spent the formative years of his professional career playing for the Warriors dynasty that appeared in five NBA Finals (including four of five straight appearances from 2015-19) and won three NBA titles (2017, ‘18 and ‘22) with him not only on the roster, but him having a more significant on-court role with each passing season.
Golden State Warriors’ Gui Santos passes the ball against Los Angeles Lakers’ Kevon Looney during the first quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. Getty Images
He was the Warriors’ starting center for their 2021-22 championship after being a key reserve in their previous title-winning seasons.
Looney became accustomed to being in championship-contending environments.
Teams that sacrificed with the goal of taking home the Larry O’Brien Trophy each year.
But the lone year in New Orleans took him away from that.
The season started with Looney suffering a sprained left knee during a preseason game in Australia that sidelined him for the start of the regular season.
He was the Pelicans’ starting center by the time within two games of being back. But within the first couple of weeks of him being available, the franchise fired their head coach, Willie Green, who was instrumental to Looney’s arrival in New Orleans.
Kevon Looney of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced into the starting lineup prior to an NBA preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
From there, “the season kind of went a different way,” as Looney put it, with the Pelicans fully focusing on developing their younger players.
He played in just 21 games after playing in at least 61 the previous five seasons.
“I didn’t get a lot of opportunities to play and show what I could do,” Looney told The Post. “So coming back this year with a chip on my shoulder, just to show everybody again that I have a lot left to give in the tank and that I can help a team win.”
The Lakers are betting that’ll be the case for Looney, who’s the primary backup big man to marquee free agency acquisition Walker Kessler.
“Really just have admired him as a competitor, teammate, high IQ player for a number of years, played against him, covered him, coached against him,” coach JJ Redick said. “Great locker room guy. Felt like he could help us in a number of ways, and he’s done that, he’s been that.”
Redick added on Looney’s role: “Understanding what we’re trying to do and then going out and executing it. A big part for him on this team is going to be his willingness to build relationships with these young guys. It was easy for him being in one place for a long time. He talked about getting married and being in New Orleans last year and like it was a different experience, but he’s like committed to building these relationships. And then he can be a vet for these guys.”
Kevon Looney of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during an NBA preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Being a veteran leader, with Looney being the oldest player on the team at 30 years old, is a big part of what the Lakers need from him as they look to compete in the West.
He’s the only player on the roster who’s won an NBA championship, let alone multiple.
“For me just somebody that all the guys can lean on and I’ve done played a lot of different roles in this league,” Looney said. “I’ve been in a lot of different scenarios. I’ve played a lot of big games. I kind of know how things are supposed to go, how things are supposed to flow. So just having somebody, me being in the locker room just giving out my experience sharing.
“If they got questions about you deep playoff runs or certain series or certain adjustments. And I’ve kind of seen a lot of things. I’ve played with a lot of special players. So I’ve been able to learn from those guys and just sharing what they taught me to the group. It’s not always just all that be out front, vocal, just end of bench, in practice, just showing the small things that I learned throughout my career to get me to this point and just sharing it with the group.”
And in this area, he’s already helping.
“He’s an unreal vet,” Kessler said. “He’s done it multiple times, he’s experienced, he’s a champion. And, a lot of these guys look to that, look to his guidance on and off the court. So he’s been great in that regard.”
Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams will round out the starting five for the Lakers alongside the three obvious starters in Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. They may be in for extended minutes with JJ Redick's decision to go with a short rotation due to the injuries that leave them without Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero or Cam Carr to begin the season.
Thybulle and Williams are both strong defenders who can knock down threes, making them ideal fits next to Dončić and Reaves on both ends of the floor. Williams' wiry 6-foot-9 frame makes him versatile on defense, a plus for Reddick's new scheme that centers on one-on-one matchups with Kessler anchored near the paint.
Here is the full starting lineup for the Lakers against the Warriors, and who might get minutes in the rotation:
Los Angeles Lakers starting five vs Golden State Warriors
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new era has begun in the nation’s capital.
The Washington Wizards (1-0), a franchise that has won just 50 games over the past three seasons combined, earned a win on the opening night of the 2026 season – taking down the Milwaukee Bucks 128-116
Wizards’ center Anthony Davis recorded a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double by the end of the third quarter, becoming the first Wizard to post a double-double in their debut since Marvin Bagley III who scored 20 points and 11 rebounds against the New York Knicks in Jan. 2024. Davis finished with 34 points and 12 rebounds in Washington’s 12-point win.
“It felt great,” Davis said. “It’s been nine months since I played a real game so it felt really good to be out on the floor and compete again, with these guys. Glad that we could get the win. I had so much fun tonight.”
No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa was ruled out on Tuesday, after continuing to deal with an ankle injury he suffered in the second quarter of Washington’s final preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Dybantsa is “day-to-day” according to Wizards’ head coach Brian Keefe, and fourth-year wing Bilal Coulibaly earned the start in his place.
“The guy who really was like, eager was AJ,” Davis said. “He wants to be out there so bad.”
Coulibaly scored Washington’s first points of its 2026 campaign, and picked up two early steals to help Washington escape an early five-point deficit. In his first regular-season game as a Wizard, Davis also got off to a hot start – tallying 10 points and six rebounds in the opening quarter to help Washington enter the second quarter with a 25-23 lead. Washington’s third-year wing Kyshawn George finished the first quarter with seven points and an assist.
But Milwaukee (0-1) held Davis to just two points in the second quarter, and George scoreless as the Bucks outscored Washington 33-26 to take a 56-51 lead entering the half. The Wizards shot 42% from the field in the first half and just 18% from behind the arc.
George knocked down a triple midway through the third quarter to join Davis and Trae Young (11) in double-figure scoring and cut Milwaukee’s lead to two, but foul trouble kept him on the bench for a majority of the quarter.
In his absence, Davis tacked on 18 third quarter points while shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free throw line – earning MVP chants from the home crowd inside of Capital One Arena.
But despite Davis’ best efforts, Washington trailed 93-90 entering the fourth quarter until Wizards’ guard Justin Champagnie found center Deandre Ayton for the two-footed dunk to give Washington a 97-98 lead – its first lead since it led 34-33 midway through the second quarter. The dunk sparked a 16-2 Washington run.
Milwaukee responded with two quick triples from Tyler Herro and Myles Turner but it was not enough to stop the bleeding, and Washington continued to pull away in the final minutes to earn its first win since Mar. 25 of last season.
Young joined Davis in double-double territory with 20 points and 13 assists, George tacked on 18 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Coulibaly scored 11 points while recording four steals and an assist. Deandre Ayton (11) and Bub Carrington (10) also finished in double-figure scoring.
Tyler Herro led Milwaukee in scoring with 24 points with Jamie Jaquez Jr. (22), Kasparas Jakucionis (15), Brayden Burries (12) and Turner (11) each eclipsing 10+ points.
Washington will look to build off its first win of the year when it hosts the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET on MNMT.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Anfernee Simons #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on October 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Unsurprisingly, the Sixers’ starting five led the way. Tyrese Maxey had a team-high 28 points to go with five assists, four rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Jaylen Brown (19 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and LeBron James (14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) delivered well-rounded performances. Joel Embiid couldn’t buy a bucket for most of them game (13 points on 4-of-15 shooting), but he looked more spry defensively than he has in years. And while VJ Edgecombe was relatively quiet (nine points, four rebounds, one assist), he made his impact defensively by harassing Finals MVP Jalen Brunson all night.
The offseason concerns about alphas were nowhere to be found Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden. While the Sixers might not maintain that level of defensive focus against the Sacramento Kings on a random January night, they showed a higher ceiling on that end of the floor than expected, too. (The concerns about their three-point shooting and their rebounding… that’s a different story.)
But while the starting five will command a majority of the headlines coming out of the season opener, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gave Sixers fans even more reason to believe that this year will be different than years past.
In 25 minutes off the bench, Simons had 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting (including 3-of-8 from deep). KCP was more up-and-down, but he hit a pair of key triples in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block in 26 minutes. That was a stark contrast from last season, when the Sixers got precious little from their bench against the Knicks in particular.
In Game 2 of their second-round series (which they lost 108-102), Quentin Grimes, Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona combined for 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting. In Game 3, a 108-94 loss at home that effectively ended the series, the Sixers’ bench combined for 11 points. Grimes had six points on 2-of-6 shooting, Barlow had two on one shot attempt, and head coach Nick Nurse didn’t play any other reserve more than four minutes.
Granted, starters’ minutes tend to increase in the playoffs, particularly in close games. The Sixers’ bench feasted in garbage time in Games 1 and 4 of that series. But when the games were competitive, it was almost entirely on the Sixers’ starters to take care of business.
When healthy, that shouldn’t be the case this season.
While LeBron downplayed concerns about the Sixers’ long-range shooting after the game—they finished 11-of-40 from deep against the Knicks—Maxey is the only knockdown shooter in their starting five. LeBron, Brown, Embiid and Edgecombe aren’t total non-factors from deep, but none of them are particularly high-volume, efficient three-point shooters.
Whenever Simons and KCP are in the game, they’re going to be a release valve for the Sixers’ offense.
“Big shots by [Simons],” Maxey said after the game in reference to the trio of triples Simons knocked down in the third quarter that put the Sixers ahead. “He did a good job. We’re looking for him. When he gets in the game, we’re hunting for him. We want him to hunt his shots, and he did a good job with that tonight.”
“I thought we were generating a bunch of wide-open threes and just nobody could throw it in,” Nurse added. “And those guys kind of broke through on that and moved the scoreboard for us. And, I mean, it’s one of those things, if you’re making the right reads, and it’s a kickout, catch-and-shoot three, you’re gonna have to keep taking them all night, whether you’re making them or not. And it was good those guys kind of broke the seal open a little bit.”
Additional reinforcements should be on the way soon, too. Dean Wade missed the season opener with the ankle injury that he suffered in the preseason against the Boston Celtics, but he was questionable heading into the game, which suggests it isn’t a long-term issue. Barlow is out for at least two weeks with a “lumbar spine bone stress response,” but his eventual return should help fortify the Sixers’ frontcourt as well. The same goes for two-way signee Tacko Fall, who’s been out with a hip injury.
Wade in particular should be connective tissue for the Sixers thanks to his defensive versatility and three-point shooting. If long-range shots aren’t falling for the starters, he’ll be another plug-and-play option whom Nurse can call upon. Wade has never averaged more than six points per game in any of his seven NBA seasons, so he isn’t likely to emerge as a high-volume scorer in Philly, but he’ll still have value on offense if he spaces the floor and knocks down an open three or two every game.
One of the many benefits of having such a star-studded starting five is that Nurse can stagger his starters and still ensure that he has go-to options on the floor at all times. As defenses sell out to stop them, it should lead to wide-open shots for the likes of Wade, Simons and KCP. As Nurse said Tuesday, the key will be to keep firing away and, ahem, trusting the process even when the shots aren’t falling.
Even the most dynastic superteams in NBA history have needed their role players to come through in big moments on occasion. Robert Horry, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher and plenty more were key contributors to championship teams. KCP himself has filled that role for two different title winners.
It’s only been one game, but Simons and KCP making that kind of an impact off the bench for the Sixers against the Knicks was validating nevertheless. If the Sixers get actual production from their reserve unit this season, they’ll deserve to be taken that much more seriously in the title conversation.
