Scoreboard
Pacers 121, Cavaliers 116
Bucks 110, Knicks 105
Heat 121, Wizards 114
Nets 109, Bulls 107
Warriors 141, Thunder 139
Nuggets 125, Mavericks 114
Trail Blazers 115, Grizzlies 113
What went down
The shiny In-Season Tournament tipped off across the league, ushering in a new era of fresh threads and alternate court colorways. The competitive fire to get the NBA Cup burned instantly and a couple of games were decided in the final seconds.
In OKC, the game was decided down to the last fraction of a second. Playing without their All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder came out with a different type of fire against the Golden State Warriors, a team that just came off a game won by a Klay Thompson game-winner. Was it the City Edition threads? The newly painted court? The In-Season Tournament incentive? Whatever it was, the Thunder were on fire early.
The Warriors matched every bit of the heat, draining seven 3s in a high-scoring first quarter. In the second half, the Thunder kept on fighting, led by the unexpected hot shooting from defensive specialist Lu Dort. Entering the fourth, the score was tied at 106.
Then came the last possession of the game, with both teams tied at 139. Steph Curry, who at that point had scored 28 points, asked for a clear-out. Against Dort, Curry danced around the 3-point line a bit then waltzed into the paint for a high scoop shot over the outstretched arm of Chet Holmgren.
STEPH WITH 0.2 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK 😱
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023
WARRIORS WIN THEIR FIRST IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT GAME 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JQ8LJk5wj0
There was a bit of controversy on whether or not Draymond Green interfered with the basket, but it was ultimately overturned. In back-to-back games, the Warriors have won via a game-winner.
The Thunder loss puts to waste Dort’s 29-point, six-3s effort, but a lot of praise should be thrown OKC’s way for keeping in step with the Warriors despite not having SGA on the floor. Holmgren also chipped in 24 points, missing only two shots the entire game. The Thunder are legit.
Big-time ballers
Jalen Brunson was up for a big game and it arrived against the Milwaukee Bucks. Brunson was unconscious, finishing with 45 points to lead all scorers. He didn’t get much help, though.
The Bucks’ super duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 52 points to get the win at home. Brook Lopez was on lockdown mode, swatting a season-high eight shots.
In Indiana, Myles Turner contributed a breakout game entry with 27 points and nine rebounds in the win versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Myles Turner dropped a DOMINANT performance to open the In-Season Tournament 😤
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023
27 PTS \ 9 REB \ 4 3PM \ W
The @Pacers move to 1-0 in East Group A action 🏆
Their next In-Season Tournament matchup is Tuesday, 11/14 vs. PHI on the NBA App pic.twitter.com/ISlFNwQJ6X
Each time there’s a Nikola Jokic-Luka Doncic matchup, it’s must-watch basketball. Jokic (33 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists) and Doncic (34 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) didn’t disappoint:
Luka and Jokic are trading BUCKETS late in Q4 👀
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023
Luka: 34 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST
Jokic: 31 PTS, 14 REB, 9 AST
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament
🏀 West Group B action on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2wBkf0QzkW
What he said
In two battles between the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Durant had the (unfortunate) pleasure of witnessing Victor Wembanyama’s otherworldly skills first-hand. KD’s got nothing but praise for the young superstar in the making:
KD talks his matchup vs. Wemby on #NBAHooperVision 🗣?
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023
Tap in and watch on the NBA App: https://t.co/b57zSdz8rA pic.twitter.com/TlmOlHegY9
Did you see that?
The In-Season Tournament is a jolt of color:
The in-season tournament courts tonight 🔥
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 3, 2023
(via @chicagobulls, @Pacers, @nuggets, @Bucks, @okcthunder, @MiamiHEAT) pic.twitter.com/d5Lw2jr1gf
Extra pass
The Philadelphia 76ers shook things up by finally shipping James Harden back to the Western Conference. Will it give them a sense of clarity and direction moving forward? They’ll get to test things out against the Phoenix Suns, a team that’s also trying to find its footing with a couple of new pieces in place.
The Sixers and the Suns will face off at 1:00 AM tomorrow on NBA TV Philippines.
