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oct 22 2026The NBA experienced its first full night of action on Wednesday with eleven games and several star debuts in new uniforms: LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga in Minnesota, Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami, Kawhi Leonard in Toronto, Ja Morant in Portland, and Damian Lillard's return to the Trail Blazers. But the most anticipated story came from New Orleans: Tyrese Haliburton returned to official play sixteen months after tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, and he made an impact. The night also featured two 45-point performances from Anthony Edwards and Ty Jerome.
It was a quiet night for Spanish players. Santi Aldama did not play for the Mavericks, listed as out due to knee surgery. Sergio de Larrea played five minutes in Houston's loss without scoring, adding 1 rebound and 1 assist, and Baba Miller saw minutes with the Clippers in their victory over the Kings.
Pacers 123-120 Pelicans
Haliburton did not simply return. In his first official game since that June 2025 night in Oklahoma City, he posted 23 points and 12 assists and was the one who decided a thrilling finish. With the game tied at 118 with just over a minute remaining, he scored a layup and the accompanying free throw to put the Pacers ahead (121-118). The Pelicans still had chances after an Indiana turnover in the final seconds, but their last shot from their own end of the court didn't fall. Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 30 points. For the Pelicans, Dejounte Murray (23) and Zion Williamson (22) stood out.
Timberwolves 131-106 Heat
Anthony Edwards opened the season with 45 points, 9 three-pointers, and 10 rebounds in Miami, and the Timberwolves led by as much as 30. A 9-0 run before halftime gave Minnesota a ten-point advantage (69-59), and in the second half the lead continued to grow. LaMelo Ball added 21 points and 6 assists in his debut with the Wolves, and Jaden McDaniels contributed 17. Giannis scored 35 in his first official game with the Heat, but his team made just 8 of 33 three-pointers.
Warriors 105-127 Lakers
The Lakers began their first season without LeBron with a blowout. Luka Dončić posted 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, Walker Kessler scored 26 without missing any of his 12 shots, and Austin Reaves added 23. Stephen Curry played despite Sunday's ankle sprain and scored 16 points in the first quarter, but the Warriors, with five players out, collapsed with a 36-16 third quarter and lost by as much as 34.
Read also:
- Haliburton returns 472 days later
- NBA opens with 125 international players and five Spaniards
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Jazz 103-123 Grizzlies
The other dominant performance of the night came from Memphis. Ty Jerome scored 45 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the Grizzlies' comfortable victory over the Jazz. Utah led by nine in the first quarter, but a 33-18 run in the second quarter turned the game around, and in the third quarter the lead reached 27 points. Keyonte George with 22 and Lauri Markkanen with 18 and 9 rebounds led the Jazz.
Suns 83-124 Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard's return to Portland was a celebration. After two seasons in Milwaukee and an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him all last season, he scored 25 points with 6 three-pointers. The Blazers started with a 21-0 run, led 43-12 at the end of the first quarter, and won by as much as 52. Ja Morant, in his debut after arriving from Memphis, added 14 points and 8 assists. Devin Booker with 23 was the only one who responded for the Suns, who shot 6 of 31 from three-point range.
Bulls 92-135 Raptors
Kawhi Leonard could not have dreamed of a better return to Toronto. The Raptors opened with a 7-0 run, won the first quarter 43-23, and led by as much as 48. Kawhi, Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley each scored 23 points, and RJ Barrett added 20. For the Bulls, Matas Buzelis scored 17 and Caleb Wilson, the 4th overall pick, scored 16 in his debut.
Mavericks 110-128 Rockets
Houston ran over the Mavericks thanks to a second quarter of 38-12 that resulted in a 70-38 halftime lead. Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each scored 30 points, and Alperen Şengün posted 23 and 10 rebounds. Cooper Flagg with 32 points led Dallas, and Kyrie Irving added 15 in his first official game since tearing his ACL in March 2025. Fred VanVleet also returned from a ligament injury with 6 points and 11 assists.
Hawks 132-125 Magic
The other close finish of the night was decided in Orlando. The Hawks rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second quarter with two 12-0 runs, and Paolo Banchero with 35 points and 10 assists gave the Magic the lead back in the third. Atlanta regained control and Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 31 points sealed it with a three-pointer with 51 seconds remaining (128-123). Dyson Daniels added 20 points and 5 steals.
Bucks 116-128 Wizards
The Wizards rallied in the fourth quarter, which they won 38-23, with an 8-0 run that gave them control. Anthony Davis posted 34 points and 12 rebounds, and Trae Young distributed 13 assists while scoring 20. Tyler Herro with 24 points and 9 assists led the Bucks. AJ Dybantsa, the 1st overall pick, did not debut due to an ankle sprain.
Hornets 110-103 Nets
The Hornets won in Brooklyn with balanced scoring: Grayson Allen (21), Naz Reid (20, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), and Dennis Schröder (19). The Nets took the lead with a 12-0 run in the third quarter but couldn't hold on down the stretch. Julius Randle with 33 points and Michael Porter Jr. with 26 led the Nets.
Kings 96-121 Clippers
The Clippers, without Kawhi for the first time since 2019 to start a season, won from start to finish. Darius Garland scored 30 points and Brook Lopez added 17 and 11 rebounds off the bench. Zach LaVine with 28 and Domantas Sabonis with 14 points and 18 rebounds could not prevent the Kings' loss.
