Overview
- San Antonio routed Dallas 125-92 on opening night with Victor Wembanyama scoring 40, reinforcing the Spurs’ defense-and-transition identity heading into their Pelicans test.
- Dallas’ loss spotlighted stalled offense, shaky defensive rotations and thin depth, though rookie Cooper Flagg became the youngest player ever to log a debut double-double and Klay Thompson said P.J. Washington has All-Star potential.
- New York improved to 2-0 by beating Boston 105-95, doing so without Mitchell Robinson and with Josh Hart limited by back issues noted on the league’s injury report.
- Cleveland rebounded with a 131-124 win in Brooklyn as Donovan Mitchell scored 35, holding on despite a late Nets push while key guards Darius Garland and Max Strus remained out.
- The Lakers opened with a 119-109 loss to the Warriors, drawing scrutiny as Deandre Ayton’s debut produced 10 points, six rebounds and four turnovers and media speculation surfaced about his fit.