The NBA season is underway and after a crazy first two days in the NBA, NBA Opening Weekend is looking like a movie. All the superstars are out and everyone is working to get an early jump in the standings as nobody wants to be caught in the Play-In tournament.
Saturday night was the beginning of many eventful, star-studded weekends in the NBA to come and we got more than our fair share of outstanding performances.
With that being said, let’s recap all eight games from last night and shout out some of the league’s top performers from last night’s matchups.
Ricky Rubio
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 23 | 6 | 8 | 9/15 | 3/7 | 2/2 | 1 | 0 |
Despite being somewhat undermanned in the backcourt without Darius Garland, the Cleveland Cavaliers rose to the occasion to defeat the loaded Atlanta Hawks, 101-95. Ricky Rubio took over the lead point guard duty next to Collin Sexton and held things down as the duo combined for 35 points. Although the backcourt was solid, this game was actually more about the Cleveland bigs. Number three overall pick Evan Mobley finished the night with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and put on a block party with four of the team’s six blocks. Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen also chipped in as they combined for 23 points and 22 rebounds as the Cavs dominated points in the paint 54-42. With their first win on the season, Cleveland now goes on the road at 1-2 as they prepare for their Monday Night matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
Trae Young
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 24 | 1 | 7 | 8/22 | 2/8 | 7/7 | 3 | 0 |
Not the greatest shooting night for the Atlanta Hawks. Outside of Cam Reddish who was 7-of-14 from the floor, not a single Hawks that took at least five shots was above 50% from the floor. Trae Young led the way with 24 points and seven assists as Atlanta was at one point up by as much as 11 in the second quarter. John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic only went for 11 total points on the night as they went a combined 5-of-15 from the floor. Rough night for the Hawks who clearly had the depth and talent advantage. Atlanta now sits 1-1 as they prepare to return home to face the Detroit Pistons.
Nikola Vucevic
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 15 | 19 | 3 | 6/16 | 1/4 | 2/2 | 2 | 3 |
Chicago Bulls cruise past the Detroit Pistons to get to 3-0 for the first time since 2016-17. This was their second meeting this week, handing the Pistons the L, and this time they did it with style. The two former USC teammates in Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan combined for 36 points and 25 rebounds to lead the way to Chicago’s 97-82 victory. The Bulls put on a block party of their own as the team finished with 11 total blocks, including a big block by rookie Ayo Dosunmu, who gave them a solid 11 minutes off the bench. After having three games in four days, the grind does not stop as the Bulls prepare to go on the road to take on the Toronto Raptors.
Saddiq Bey
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 20 | 16 | 1 | 8/16 | 1/5 | 3/3 | 1 | 1 |
The Pistons simply looked a bit out of rhythm as nobody outside of Saddiq Bey could seem to hit a shot. If you check the team stats, Detroit dominated on the glass (53 rebounds to 42), points in the paint (54-34), and second-chance points (16-7). But the two things that hurt them are that they shot 18% from beyond the arc and 20 turnovers. Outside of Bey, the Pistons did get solid minutes off the bench from Trey Lyles and Kelly Olynyk who combined for 22 points and ten rebounds. Detroit is still searching for their first victory as they sit at 0-2 with the Atlanta Hawks next up on the schedule.
Malcolm Brogdon
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 18 | 14 | 4 | 5/19 | 8/8 | 0/7 | 0 | 2 |
After playing in two overtime thrillers to kick off the season, it only felt right that the Indiana Pacers completed the trifecta last night. The only difference is that the Pacers finished in the winner’s column as they took down the Miami Heat, 102-91. This was a game that the role players on both sides really showed out. Rookie guard Chris Duarte led the Pacers with 19 points along with guys like Oshae Brissett and Jeremy Lamb who combined for 30 points off the bench. Had to feel good to finally come out on top after playing well enough in the first two games to win both or at least one. Next up, Indiana has a tough matchup ahead as they have the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks coming to town.
Tyler Herro
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 30 | 10 | 0 | 12/28 | 3/12 | 3/3 | 0 | 0 |
With Kyle Lowry out due to a sprained wrist, the Miami Heat struggled to close in this game and that’s what hurt them. They got solid contributions across the board, but their lack of depth truly showed in this one. All their notable names: Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, and Jimmy Butler all scored in double figures. The other five players who played combined for a mere 11 points. See the problem? Nonetheless, the Heat now sit at 1-1, but they may have a potential easy win ahead of them as they take on the crosstown rival Orlando Magic.
Luka Doncic
|
PTS |
REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 27 | 9 | 12 | 11/24 | 2/10 | 3/5 | 0 |
1 |
After a disappointing season opener against the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks bounced back to win over the Toronto Raptors, 103-95. Doncic and Tim Haraway Jr. led the way out of the backcourt with a combined 52 points. Hardaway Jr. was a literal flamethrower from deep as he hit 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. Kristaps Porzingis also got in the mix as well with a double-double of 18 points and ten rebounds while also knocking down a logo three to show off the range. Now after being on the road for two straight games, the Mavericks return home for their home opener as they look to take on the Houston Rockets.
OG Anunoby
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 23 | 4 | 0 | 9/15 | 5/9 | 0/0 | 2 | 2 |
Not the greatest offensive performance by the Toronto Raptors, but they did show some positive signs despite the loss. OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet continue to take the reigns over this team as they combined for 43 points. Second-year center Precious Achiuwa is showing signs of progress as he carves out a new role for himself as he posted ten points and 12 rebounds. Even rookie forward Scottie Barnes got in on the fun with 17 points, eight rebounds, and was a +7 on the floor. Toronto now sits at 1-2 as they look to get their first home victory in their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
Karl-Anthony Towns
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 25 | 4 | 2 | 10/20 | 3/6 | 2/2 | 0 | 3 |
Despite fouling out in this one, Karl-Anthony Towns’ Minnesota Timberwolves held down the fort as they got the win over the New Orleans Pelicans, 96-89. Towns finished the game with 25 points including 15 of them coming in the very first quarter. Anthony Edwards also continues to make strides in Year 2 as he posted a near double-double with 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists as well. What was more impressive was the Minnesota defense as they were able to hold the Pelicans to under 90 points and forced 28 turnovers. Minnesota is 2-0 in the early going and they have a rubber match with New Orleans coming up next on the schedule.
Jonas Valanciunas
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 20 | 17 | 2 | 6/10 | 0/0 | 8/8 | 3 | 1 |
It was pretty much the Jonas Valanciunas–Brandon Ingram show for the Pelicans in this one. The two combined for 50 points and 23 rebounds. As dominant as New Orleans’ frontcourt has looked through three games, one can only imagine how much better they would look with Zion Williamson in the lineup. Nonetheless, the other standout player for New Orleans was Nickeil Alexander-Walker who had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. With a less crowded backcourt with guys like Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe gone, this may be the opportunity he has been looking for to potentially have a breakout year. The Pelicans now sit at 0-3 in search of their first win as they look to get revenge in their upcoming rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 21 | 8 | 8 | 7/15 | 1/2 | 6/8 | 0 | 3 |
The defending champs get back in the winner’s column after an embarrassing loss to the Miami Heat as the Bucks took down the San Antonio Spurs, 121-111. Khris Middleton led the way with 28 points along with Giannis Antetokounmpo who nearly posted a 20-point triple-double. Milwaukee had six players score in double figures in spite of missing Brook Lopez (back soreness) and Jrue Holiday (heel). The Bucks are now 2-1 and they have the Indiana Pacers next up on the schedule.
Doug McDermott
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 25 | 4 | 2 | 9/13 | 7/11 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 |
The San Antonio Spurs may have lost, but they surely competed and gave the Bucks their best shot. Doug McDermott was nearly automatic from three. Keldon Johnson dropped 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. The team finished with six players in double figures including Jakob Poeltl and Dejounte Murray who both nearly had triple-doubles. Now the Spurs are 1-2 as they look ahead to a tough matchup ahead against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
CJ McCollum
|
PTS |
REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 28 | 3 | 1 | 10/19 | 6/11 | 2/2 | 1 |
3 |
CJ McCollum put the Trail Blazers on his back as he led them to Chauncey Billups’s first career victory as a head coach over the Phoenix Suns, 134-105. Through two games, one could argue that McCollum has outplayed his All-Star backcourt running mate Damian Lillard, but that is part of why they are such a dynamic duo. The Blazers got a solid effort from their young guys off the bench in Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons who combined for 29 points and ten rebounds. Portland will be facing the Lillard trade rumors storyline all season long but if they can continue to win against championship contenders like the Suns, that may help them a lot in at least keeping Lillard for the entirety of this season.
Devin Booker
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 21 | 4 | 4 | 9/19 | 2/5 | 1/2 | 2 | 0 |
A rough night for the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3. All-Star guard Devin Booker held up his end of the bargain as he dropped 21 points, but it was Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul who came up short. Ayton and Paul struggled from the field, shooting a combined 5-of-11 from the floor and they had a combined 11 points. Cameron Payne and Mikal Bridges were solid backups, each scoring 14 points apiece. Nonetheless, the defending Western Conference champions sit at 1-2 with a chance to get back to .500 as they go on the road to take on the Sacramento Kings.
Ja Morant
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 28 | 2 | 8 | 10/19 | 2/7 | 6/8 | 1 | 0 |
Ja Morant led the charge for the Memphis Grizzlies as they took down the LA Clippers, 120-114 to advance to 2-0 on the season. Morant was the spearhead of five double-digit scorers including Jaren Jackson Jr. and De’Anthony Melton who each dropped 20-pieces of their own. Memphis is still without Dillon Brooks in the backcourt due to a left-hand fracture, but in the early going, Morant is putting on a campaign that could lead to him becoming a first-time All-Star in Year 3.
Paul George
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| 41 | 10 | 4 | 15/25 | 5/12 | 6/6 | 2 | 0 |
It was pretty much the Paul George show as he led the way with 41 points and 25 shot attempts. Reggie Jackson was the next-highest at 17 shots. The LA Clippers are going to be without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard for a while and thus far that is proving to be as difficult as expected. The Clippers now sit at 0-2 with a chance to get in the winner’s column in their upcoming matchup against the Portland Trailblazers.
