The NBA regular season continued today, with multiple teams playing their season openers. In the early Eastern Conference games, some matchups were full of momentum swings, while others saw decisive victories. The most thrilling contest came between the 76ers and the Celtics, where the No. 3 overall pick’s brilliant performance stole the spotlight. Let’s take a look back at some of today’s key games.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Last season, the Cavaliers were the Eastern Conference regular-season champions, while the Knicks were also among the top four teams, making this season opener a true clash of titans. The Cavs started strong with a 10–5 lead, but quickly lost rhythm as the Knicks went on a big run to finish the first quarter up 33–23. In the second quarter, the Knicks extended their lead to 15 points before the Cavaliers stormed back to make it 43–44, just one point behind. However, by halftime, the Knicks surged again to take a 65–50 advantage.
In the second half, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 21 points in the third quarter, erasing the 15-point deficit and tying the game at 87 heading into the fourth. The Knicks then opened the final quarter with a 14–2 run, building a 12-point cushion. Despite the Cavs’ efforts to rally, the Knicks held firm and secured a 119–111 victory.
Player Stats:
Cavaliers: Mitchell 31 pts; Mobley 22 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk; Merrill 19 pts
Knicks: Anunoby 24 pts, 14 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl; Brunson 23 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast; Towns 19 pts, 11 reb
Nets vs. Hornets
This matchup featured two teams openly in rebuilding mode. Despite their modest rosters, the Hornets came out firing, scoring 77 points in the first half and leading by 17. They maintained control after halftime and cruised to a 136–117 blowout win over the Nets.
Player Stats:
Nets: Claxton 17 pts; Porter Jr. 12 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast
Hornets: Miller 25 pts, 7 ast; LaMelo Ball 20 pts, 2 reb, 8 ast; Nine Hornets players scored in double figures
Heat vs. Magic
This game was a roller coaster of comebacks and momentum shifts. The Heat opened with a 10–2 lead, but the Magic quickly closed the gap. Miami led 39–38 after the first quarter. In the second, Orlando’s sharp offense turned the tide, taking a 69–65 halftime lead. The third quarter remained tightly contested, with the Heat slightly ahead. In the final period, Miami went up by 8, but the Magic responded with clutch free throws down the stretch to pull off a 125–121 comeback win.
Player Stats:
Heat: Powell 28 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast; Adebayo 15 pts, 12 reb
Magic: Franz Wagner 24 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl; Banchero 24 pts, 11 reb
Raptors vs. Hawks
The first half was evenly matched, but in the third quarter, the Raptors erupted with a 45-point outburst, outscoring the Hawks by 17 and building a 23-point lead after three quarters. The final frame turned into garbage time, as Toronto rolled to a 138–118 victory.
Player Stats:
Raptors: Barrett 25 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl; Dick 21 pts, 5 reb; Ingram 16 pts, 9 reb
Hawks: Trae Young 22 pts, 5 ast; Johnson 22 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast; Porziņģis 20 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast
Wizards vs. Bucks
The Bucks dominated early, jumping out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. The Wizards tried to close the gap, but Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stellar 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists carried Milwaukee to an easy 133–120 win. Both teams had seven players score in double figures in this high-scoring affair.
76ers vs. Celtics
This was arguably the most exciting game of the day. Both teams traded baskets throughout the first half. Midway through the second quarter, the score kept swinging until the 76ers went on a late run to take a 57–51 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the Celtics briefly surged ahead by 11, but the 76ers responded with a barrage of three-pointers to regain control.
In the final moments, the 76ers led 115–111. Although Payton Pritchard had a late three-point attempt to close the gap, Boston couldn’t complete the comeback. The 76ers held on for a thrilling 117–116 victory.
Player Stats:
76ers: Edgecombe 34 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast (setting multiple records); Maxey 40 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl
Celtics: White 25 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast; Jaylen Brown 25 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast; Pritchard 15 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
