Six teams joined champion Boston Celtics carding a 2-0 win-loss record to end this stacked 10-game Saturday slate in the NBA.
KAT IN MSG
- New York Knicks (1-1) def. Indiana Pacers (1-1), 123-98: It was a winning Madison Square Garden debut for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, as the Knicks barged into the winning column at the expense of their playoff tormentor, the Indiana Pacers
[ALSO READ: Karl-Anthony Towns gets winning MSG debut in dominating Knicks thumping of Pacers]
- Let the People Decide: Towns finished up with 21 points and 15 rebounds, becoming the first Knick to register those numbers in a home debut.
In his post-game interview, Towns was asked by ESPN sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth about the big man’s new nickname, coming up with the likes of ‘ Bodega KAT’ and ‘Big Purr,’ to some extent.
‘I’ll let the fans pick,’ Towns replied.
'
- Just Keep Shooting: Any concern over Mikal Bridges' wayward shooting form appears to be behind him.
Bridges marked his regular-season Garden debut with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting.
MIKAL BRIDGES LOCKED IN AT MSG 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
He's 8-10 from the field in his @nyknicks home debut!#KiaTipOff24 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/fu6TqewbOM
“I’m always confident. That’s for other people to worry about,” he said.
The concerns over Bridges' shot started in the preseason when he went for just 2-for-19 beyond the arc. It reached another level in their season-opening blowout loss against the Boston Celtics when he missed all four of his attempts from deep in the first half.
But he responded with a big-time performance, now hitting 15 of his last 20 shots, including four of his six triples in the last six quarters.
- Tom Thibodeau on Bridges: “This guy's shot almost 38% (from 3) for his career. Me, I'd bet on that."
"Where we are today with social media, everyone has an opinion on everything. And yet the guy who's doing the work every day…This guy's shot almost 38% (from 3) for his career. Me, I'd bet on that"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 26, 2024
–– Thibs on Mikal Bridges (21 pts | 67% from three & from the field) pic.twitter.com/HC40RaN5i6
- One Forgettable Return: Entering the game, Tyrese Haliburton was coming off a 26-point output in his last visit in the Garden that propelled the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals with a Game 7 road win.
But it was a night-and-day difference in his first return since that epic dub as the superstar guard was scoreless in 26 minutes and missed all of his eight attempts.
It was the first time Haliburton did not score in a regular season game since their 129-102 loss against the New Orleans Pelicans last March 2.
- Haliburton on his scoreless outing: “Listen, [the] last time we were in this building, we probably played the best game of the season. And today, we played our worst game of the season.”
"We just missed shots. Listen, last time we were in this building we probably played the best game of the season. And today will be the worst game of the season…They're a good team…We'll see them again…"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 26, 2024
–– Tyrese Haliburton (0 points in 25-point loss to Knicks) pic.twitter.com/BOv8XYMma6
LAKERS, WARRIORS, MAGIC, HAWK, CAVALIERS, AND PELICANS GO 2-0
- Los Angeles Lakers (2-0) def. Phoenix Suns (1-1), 123-116: On the same night the Los Angeles Dodgers stole Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees off a Freddie Freeman walk-off grand slam, the Lakers completed a 22-point comeback against the Phoenix Suns.
[ALSO READ: Lakers complete 22-point comeback win against Suns for first 2-0 start in 13 years]
- Un-Brow-Thered: Anthony Davis followed up his dominating 37-point season-opening outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 35-point explosion.
In doing so, Davis became only the second Laker ever to record 30+ points in the first two games of the season since Kobe Bryant in 2005.
ANTHONY DAVIS HAS BEEN ON A MISSION TO START THE SEASON 😤 pic.twitter.com/KMqBCugIU8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 26, 2024
- Teammates Then, Rivals Now: The game marked the 41st time that Lebron James and Kevin Durant squared off in their illustrious careers. James led their head-to-head series, 27-14 and improved to 19-8 in their regular season meetings.
Both all-time greats teamed up to lead Team USA to a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, but now are back to being rivals in a loaded West.
- Golden State Warriors (2-0) def. Utah Jazz (0-2), 127-86: Buddy Hield continued his rousing start and led the Warriors again in scoring with another blowout road win, improving to 2-0 this season.
- Dominant Dubs: The Warriors won their first game of the season by 36 points– a 140-104 thrashing of the Portland Trailblazers– and now by 41 points.
With that, Golden State became the first team in NBA history to win its first two games by at least 35 points or more.
The Golden State Warriors are the FIRST team in NBA history to win its first two games by at least 35 points 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 26, 2024
DOMINANCE. pic.twitter.com/wfh6FQuVkz
- Splashing Efficiency: Buddy Hield seems to be the perfect replacement for Klay Thompson.
He poured 27 points, dished out six assists and knocked down seven triples in just 20 minutes, becoming the first player in league history to record 25+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ threes in less than 2o minutes.
Buddy Hield is the first player in NBA history to record:
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 26, 2024
25+ PTS
5+ AST
5+ 3PM
in less than 20 minutes played. pic.twitter.com/lDu7NgxqWe
- Steph-ffortless: For the first time in his career, Warriors superstar Steph Curry played less than 30 minutes in consecutive games to start the season.
Curry dropped 20 points with four threes yet the Warriors cruised to another blowout win.
Steph Curry has played less than 30 minutes in consecutive games to start the season for the first time in his career
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 26, 2024
And the Warriors are 2-0. 🔥🔥🔥
(via @StatMamba) pic.twitter.com/EY2DsctH55
- Orlando Magic (2-0) def. Brooklyn Nets (0-2), 116-101: Franz Wagner took charge with 29 points to anchor the Magic’s second successive win,r turning back the still winless Nets.
- Got the Magic in Them: Orlando now started the season 2-0 in consecutive seasons, the first time it happened since the 1992-93 and 1993-94 campaign.
Jett Howard hits the three right in front of pops, Juwan!
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
The @OrlandoMagic are 2-0 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TZ4gijsB4f
The Magic will try to go 3-0 for the first time since the 2019-2020 season when they lock horns against the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow.
- Atlanta Hawks (2-0) def. Charlotte Hornets (1-1), 125-120: In a duel between two of the league’s most exciting point guards, Trae Young and the Hawks got the upper hand against LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.
- Joining the Big O: Young became just the second player in league history after Oscar Robertson in 1961 to have back-to-back games with 30+ points and 10+ assists to start a season.
The superstar tallied 38 markers and 10 dimes against the Hornets after his season-opening 30-point, 12 assist performance.
Young now has 79 games with a 30-10 statline in his career, the fifth most in NBA history.
Trae Young starts the season with back-to-back 30 & 10 games
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 26, 2024
30 PTS, 12 AST, 5 REB
38 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB
79th game with 30 PTS & 10 AST (5th most in NBA history) pic.twitter.com/JfbrPYOlum
- BALL-ing out: Ball paced the Hornets with 34 points and a career-high 10 threes in a tough loss, one shy of Charlotte’s franchise record of 10 triples made in a single game.
🔥 LAMELO BALL CAREER-HIGH 9 THREES 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
The @hornets franchise record is 10.
Watch on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/no2LGErQbI pic.twitter.com/ESAlc4G5LD
The flashy guard also recorded his second-straight 30-point outing, making him the first Hornet to put up consecutive 30-point games to start a season.
LaMelo Ball tonight:
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 26, 2024
34 PTS
5 REB
4 AST
9/14 3PT
First Hornet to have consecutive 30-point games to start a season. pic.twitter.com/uE37CNQ4fD
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0) def. Detroit Pistons (0-2), 113-101: The Cavs joined a four-team tie atop of the East after rolling past the Pistons at home.
- So Far, So Good: New head coach Kenny Atkinson won his home opener for the Cavs, who travels to Washington to face the Wizards next.
CAVS WIN! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/qJtRuvHeV8
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 26, 2024
- New Orleans Pelicans (2-0) def. Portland Trail Blazers (0-2), 105-103: Brandon Ingram hit the game-basket while Zion Williamson put on a clutch defensive effort in this thrilling Pelicans win on the road.
- Clutch on Both Ends: Ingram activated his clutch genes late to score a tough turnaround jumper with under five seconds left to give the Pelicans the lead.
The GAME-WINNER from @B_Ingram13! https://t.co/SQV6tjFmhJ pic.twitter.com/rwk7kxE6lw
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
In the game's final possession, the combination of Williamson stopped Anfernee Simons’ potential game-tying attempt.
ZION BLOCKS IT AT THE BUZZER.
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
PELICANS WIN IN PORTLAND. pic.twitter.com/Hu11CNZCAX
- No Dejounte, No Problem: Despite missing Dejounte Murray, who suffered a fractured left hand in their season-opener against the Chicago Bulls, the Pelicans were able to gut out a gritty win. Murray will be out for four-to-six weeks for New Orleans.
- Williamson after Murray’s injury: "We already spoke with (Dejounte) and we said we're gonna hold it down for him."
"We already spoke with (Dejounte) and we said we're gonna hold it down for him."
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 26, 2024
Zion on Dejounte pic.twitter.com/IGfXkssNse
BULLS, RAPTORS, ROCKETS CHALK UP FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
- Chicago Bulls (1-1) def. Milwaukee Bucks (1-1), 133-122: Chicago entered the winning column for the first time this season, after spoiling the Bucks’ home season-opener.
- Move over, BG: Coby White had his first 30-point game this season and finished with 35 markers, seven threes, five assists and four steals in a stellar outing.
He also passed Ben Gordon to take sole possession of the no. 3 spot on the all-time Bulls three-pointers list.
Coby White has officially passed Ben Gordon to become No. 3 on the Bulls all-time threes list 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tfoZSsv2Gy
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 26, 2024
- Toronto Raptors (1-1) def. Philadelphia 76ers (0-2), 115-107: The Raptors added woes to the Sixers’ bumpy start after a bounce-back win up North.
- Home Sweet Home: Scottie Barnes led the charge with 27 points and five rebounds as the Raptors registered their first win against the Sixers in Toronto since 2022.
Scottie Barnes tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 26, 2024
27 PTS
5 REB
8-11 FG
The Raptors get their first win at home against Philly since 2022. pic.twitter.com/jNivC4DWYm
- Houston Rockets (1-1) def. Memphis Grizzlies (1-1), 128-108: A surging third quarter pushed the Rockets past the Grizzlies to avenge their season-opening loss against the Hornets.
- Men Among Boys: Jabari Smith Jr. and Aleperen Sengun imposed their might inside with a combined 30 points and 31 rebounds.
Rockets bigs in the win:
Sengun: 16 PTS | 15 REB
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 26, 2024
Smith: 14 PTS | 16 REB
Beasts on the boards. pic.twitter.com/1itVtYeiFy
