MVP Jokic leads Nuggets to NBA opening day win over Phoenix Suns
LaMelo Ball leads Hornets to win, LaVine leads new-look Bulls
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic posted a double-double on NBA opening day to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 110-98 win over last season’s NBA runners-up Phoenix Suns in a rematch of their playoff meeting in Phoenix.
Jokic contributed 27 points with 13 rebounds and two assists for the Nuggets as they avenged their playoff defeat in style on NBA opening day with a dominant performance that saw them win three of the four quarters of the match. Veteran Chris Paul contributed 15 points, four rebounds and 10 assists to notch a double-double of his own for the Suns.
Reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball delivered a brilliant performance as he contributed 31 points to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 123-122 win over the Indiana Pacers on NBA opening night. Ball recorded nine rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets.
Zach LaVine contributed 34 points for a new-look Chicago Bulls side as they ran out 94-88 winners over the Detroit Pistons. LaVine also contributed seven rebounds and four assists for the Bulls. Summer recruits Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan contributed 12 and 17 points, respectively.
Julius Randle helped the New York Knicks to a Double OT 138-134 win over the Boston Celtics. Last season’s most improved player contributed 35 points with eight rebounds and nine assists for the Knicks in a hard-fought battle against the Celtics, for whom Jaylen Brown recorded 46 points.
Ex-Laker Montrezl Harrell looks like he has keyed into life in Washington as he and Bradley Beal combined for 45 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 98-83 win over the Toronto Raptors on NBA opening day.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards combined for 59 points in Minnesota Timberwolves’ 124-106 win over the Houston Rockets. Towns finished with 30 points, while Edwards had 29 points.
Tobias Harris recorded a double-double for the Philadelphia 76ers in their 117-97 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Harris had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, with Joel Embiid also contributing 22 points of his own.
Ja Morant contributed 37 points with six rebounds and six assists for the Memphis Grizzlies as they won 132-121 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on NBA opening day.
Devin Vassell contributed 19 points with two rebounds, and five assists as the San Antonio Spurs ran out 123-97 winners over Orlando Magic.
Bojan Bogdanovic recorded 22 points with four rebounds and two assists as Utah Jazz won 107-86 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their first match of the 2021/22 NBA season.
Harrison Barnes recorded 36 points with nine rebounds and two assists as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-121 on NBA opening day. CJ McCollum recorded 34 points for the Portland Trail Blazers on the night.
