NBA Season Kickoff: Surprises, Injuries, and Historic Moments

Twenty-four NBA teams have begun their 2024-25 season, with the remaining six set to kick off Thursday.

While it’s too early to make definitive assessments after just 12 games, there are notable highlights, including some unfortunate news. New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray suffered a fracture in his left (non-shooting) hand, as reported by ESPN.

The Boston Celtics continued their strong performance from last season, LeBron James and his son Bronny made history, and the Los Angeles Clippers hosted their inaugural game at the new $2 billion Intuit Dome.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the first two nights of the 2024-25 NBA season:

Winners

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama

In a thrilling matchup, Memphis Grizzlies duo Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, along with forward-center Santi Aldama, combined for 73 points in a close 126-124 win over the Utah Jazz. Morant contributed 22 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds; Bane added 24 points; while Aldama topped the scorecard with 27 points.

Onyeka Okongwu, Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu showcased his skills off the bench, scoring a career-high 28 points on 11-for-12 shooting. Trae Young also shone with a performance of 30 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds in the Hawks’ victory against the Brooklyn Nets.

Paolo Banchero

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, an All-Star last season and a top player in USA TODAY’s NBA rankings for 2024-25, demonstrated his talent with 33 points and 11 rebounds, helping his team secure a 116-97 win over the Miami Heat.

Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo

In the Milwaukee Bucks’ 124-109 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, Damian Lillard scored 30 points, complemented by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive 25 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.

Coaches Debuting with Wins

Coaches Charles Lee (Charlotte Hornets), Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland Cavaliers), JJ Redick (Los Angeles Lakers), and Mike Budenholzer (Phoenix Suns) each won their first game with their new teams. The Hornets beat the Rockets 110-105, the Cavaliers topped the Raptors 136-106, the Lakers outperformed the Timberwolves 110-103, and the Suns defeated the Clippers 116-113 in overtime.

Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a standout performance on opening night, scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while hitting eight of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc, setting the tone for his MVP candidacy.

Celtics’ Three-Point Record

The Celtics made a staggering 29 three-pointers, tying the NBA record for the most in a single game against the Knicks. Along with Tatum’s eight, Derrick White contributed six, Jaylen Brown netted five, Jrue Holiday had four, Al Horford added three, while Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard contributed two and one, respectively.

Lonzo Ball

After nearly three years away from the court due to multiple surgeries on his left knee, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball made his return, playing 14 minutes and scoring five points, alongside four assists and two rebounds despite a loss to New Orleans.

LaMelo Ball

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, Lonzo’s brother, impressed with a performance of 34 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds during the game against the Rockets.

LeBron James, Bronny James

In a historic moment, LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA simultaneously, marking a special occasion for both the family and the league.

Losers

New Orleans Pelicans

Despite a solid performance from forward Brandon Ingram, who scored 33 points, and newcomer Dejounte Murray’s 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in their 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls, the Pelicans faced setbacks with Murray’s injury.

Philadelphia 76ers

The absence of stars Paul George and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia led to a lackluster season opener against the Bucks, diminishing the excitement of the matchup.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets were unable to build on their promising previous season, suffering a loss at home to the Hornets, who dominated the second half with a score of 61-45.

Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo struggled, combining for just two successful field goals from 13 attempts in a loss to the Magic.

Coaches Debuting with Losses

Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez both fell short in their first games with their respective teams, with the Pistons losing 115-109 to Indiana and the Nets being defeated 120-116 by Atlanta.

Three-Point Shooting Struggles

The Portland Trail Blazers faced difficulties with a 23.5% shooting rate from three-point range in their 139-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Pistons shot 27.3% in their defeat and the Sixers only managed 25.8% against Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

The Knicks failed to deliver a strong performance against Boston, resulting in a 132-109 loss. They trailed by as much as 35 points, highlighting a disappointing start to their season.

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