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Anthony Edwards opened the NBA season with a 45-point performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat, joining Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain as a star capable of scoring more than 40 points in season-openers after scoring 41 in the previous season, Eurosport reported.
Anthony Edwards Joins Historic Company With 45-Point Season-Opener
Edwards shot 16-of-29 from the field, including 9-of-17 from three-point range, during the rout at the expense of a Miami squad featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo. The output follows a 41-point opening-night performance from the previous season, lifting Edwards into an elite scoring tier. Michael Jordan accomplished the feat three times in 1986, 1989, and 1995, while Wilt Chamberlain managed the feat in four consecutive seasons between 1959 and 1962, according to Eurosport records.
Minnesota received 21 points and 6 assists from LaMelo Ball alongside 17 points and 8 rebounds from Jaden McDaniels. For Miami, Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in 30 minutes on 13-of-19 shooting in his team debut. Simone Fontecchio logged three scoreless minutes.
Walker Kessler Records Perfect Shooting Night in Los Angeles Lakers Debut
The Los Angeles Lakers debuted with a 127-105 victory against the Golden State Warriors at the Crypto.com Arena. Luka Doncic finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists alongside 6 turnovers, establishing an immediate on-court connection with center Walker Kessler, whom the franchise acquired from the Utah Jazz.
Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards 😠pic.twitter.com/a1PQ5NZWFs
Despite missing nearly a full calendar year of competitive action, Kessler scored 26 points with 9 rebounds while shooting a flawless 12-of-12 from the floor. Eurosport noted that the performance marks the second-best single-game field goal percentage in Lakers franchise history, trailing only a 14-of-14 outing by Wilt Chamberlain in 1969. Golden State countered with 23 points from Stephen Curry in his 18th professional season, while Yaxel Lendeborg added 12 points during a physical matchup that featured verbal sparring with Doncic.
Tyrese Haliburton Returns From Achilles Injury With a Double-Double for Indiana
Tyrese Haliburton returned to competitive action after spending 16 months on the sidelines recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 123-120 comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Haliburton posted 23 points and 12 assists, fueling a decisive 15-3 run in the fourth quarter that erased an eight-point deficit.
The performance followed a preseason tune-up against Minnesota at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, where Haliburton logged 16 minutes with 7 points and 6 assists in a 123-112 win. Against New Orleans, Pascal Siakam added 30 points and 8 rebounds for Indiana, neutralizing 23 points from Dejounte Murray and 22 from Zion Williamson.
Anthony Davis Debuts for Washington Wizards to Chants of MVP
Anthony Davis made his debut for the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena, finishing with 34 points and 12 rebounds to chants of “MVP” from the home crowd. Davis arrived in the previous season but did not play due to injury. Trae Young contributed 20 points and 13 assists to support the victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, though AJ Dybantsa remained unavailable due to an ankle injury.
Opening Night Results Across the League
- Orlando Magic 125, Atlanta Hawks 132
- Washington Wizards 128, Milwaukee Bucks 116
- Miami Heat 106, Minnesota Timberwolves 131
- Brooklyn Nets 103, Charlotte Hornets 110
- Toronto Raptors 135, Chicago Bulls 92
- Memphis Grizzlies 123, Utah Jazz 103
- New Orleans Pelicans 120, Indiana Pacers 123
- Houston Rockets 128, Dallas Mavericks 110
- Portland Trail Blazers 124, Phoenix Suns 83
- Los Angeles Clippers 121, Sacramento Kings 96
- Los Angeles Lakers 127, Golden State Warriors 105
