Top Stories

• Klay Thompson is unwashed

• OKC embarrasses Denver

• Randle and Edwards drop 30+ apiece, escape Demar’s first Kings game with a win

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Luka Doncic had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 22 points in his Dallas debut and the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 in the opener for both teams. Kyrie Irving had 15 points for the defending Western Conference champions, who got eight assists from Doncic and seven rebounds from Thompson. Victor Wembanyama shot just 5 of 18 from the field for 17 points to open the young French star's second year with the Spurs. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie scored 18 apiece. While Klay's first game with the Mavericks was the headliner, but Chris Paul's San Antonio debut to start his 20th season was an important moment for the Spurs in the growth of a young team seeking to end a five-year playoff drought. The offense looked really rough, and Paul's only points came on a 3 in the third quarter. But the point guard's other skills showed with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, Chet Holmgren added 25 as part of a dominant all-around performance and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 102-87 in the season opener for both teams. Holmgren proved to be a handful on both ends of the floor. He tied a career high with 14 rebounds, and had five assists and blocked four shots. Reserve Aaron Wiggins added 15 points. It was an important divisional game right out of the gate. The Thunder and Nuggets both finished 57-25 last season, with the Thunder earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference because of a tiebreaker. Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for Denver. Jamal Murray had 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Christian Braun added 16 points. while Aaron Gordon, fresh off signing a new contract extension, added 12 points. Denver was 7 of 39 on 3-pointers.

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League News

Around the League

• Anthony Edwards hit a pair of free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining and the Timberwolves spoiled Sacramento’s opener by beating the Kings 117-115. Edwards got fouled by Domantas Sabonis on a drive with the game tied and calmly hit the free throws to give him 32 points. Keegan Murray's 3-point attempt while being double teamed barely rimmed out at the buzzer for the Kings. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 33 points in his second game after being acquired in a trade from New York earlier this month. Demar DeRozan scored 26 points to lead the Kings in his debut for Sacramento after being acquired this summer in a sign-and-trade from Chicago. Sabonis added 24 points and Murray had 23. Minnesota came out of its season-opening trip to California with a split after rebounding from a loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night. Randle looked much more assertive in his second game after taking only 10 shots in the opener.

• Injury Updates: Joel Embiid (conditioning) will miss some time, at least 3 games according to the Sixers. Paul George (knee) hyperextended it during the preseason, and will be re-evaluated later this week. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, and his recovery might “take longer than expected” according to the team. Kristaps Porzingis (foot) is still recovering from offseason surgery and will miss some games. Khris Middleton (ankle) will miss a few games. Isaiah Hartenstein (hand) will be re-evaluated in 5-6 weeks with a fracture. Dejounte Murray (hand) is confirmed to have fractured it and will miss a few weeks. James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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Fantasy Leaders

Melo puts up a crazy opening game 👀 

Overtime Thoughts