The 2024-25 NBA season tipped off with plenty of excitement as several teams showcased their strengths and new faces in crucial matchups. From Klay Thompson’s debut with the Dallas Mavericks to the Boston Celtics continuing their hot start, the first few games of the season did not disappoint. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of the key games and performances from the NBA season openers.
Klay Thompson’s Debut Boosts Mavericks Over Spurs
In one of the most anticipated moves of the offseason, Klay Thompson made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks, and it was nothing short of impressive. Thompson dropped 22 points, going 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, in Dallas’ 123-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Thompson’s stellar shooting performance gave Mavericks fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the season.
Luka Doncic continued to display his MVP-caliber play, contributing 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Dallas started slow, trailing by two points at halftime, but they roared back in the second half, outscoring the Spurs by 16 in the third quarter. Their defense and perimeter shooting took control of the game, giving Dallas a commanding 111-90 lead by the midway point of the fourth quarter.
Center Dereck Lively II made his presence felt as well, recording 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added 15 points in support. The Mavericks showed a balanced attack, with key contributions from Jaden Hardy and P.J. Washington, who each scored 11 points.
On the other side, the San Antonio Spurs saw bright moments from rising star Victor Wembanyama, although he struggled from the floor, shooting just 5-of-18 and 1-of-8 from 3-point range. Wembanyama finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Julian Champagnie and Jeremy Sochan paced the Spurs with 18 points apiece. Despite the loss, the Spurs showcased their young core, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come in the future.
Timberwolves Win Thriller Over Kings, Led by Edwards’ Clutch Free Throws
The Minnesota Timberwolves started their season with a nail-biting 117-115 victory over the Sacramento Kings, thanks to Anthony Edwards’ clutch free throws with just 2.4 seconds left in the game. Edwards finished the game with 32 points, demonstrating his ability to take over in critical moments.
Julius Randle led all scorers with 33 points, but it was the Timberwolves who had the final say in a back-and-forth contest. Naz Reid was a key contributor off the bench, adding 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 11 rebounds to anchor the defense.
The Kings, who were up by as much as 12 points in the third quarter, could not hold onto their lead. DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 26 points in his debut for Sacramento, while Domantas Sabonis added 24 points. Keegan Murray and De’Aaron Fox combined for 38 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Timberwolves’ late-game push.
Oklahoma City Thunder Overcome Jokic’s Triple-Double to Defeat Nuggets
The Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled the Denver Nuggets’ season opener, earning a 102-87 victory on the road. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for OKC, scoring 28 points, while Chet Holmgren, in his official NBA debut after missing last season due to injury, impressed with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Despite Nikola Jokic recording a triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, the Nuggets couldn’t find their offensive rhythm. Denver shot a dismal 7-for-39 from beyond the arc, failing to capitalize on their opportunities. Aaron Wiggins provided a spark off the bench for the Thunder, scoring 15 points, and OKC’s defense limited the reigning NBA champions throughout the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren STUFF the stat sheet in the @okcthunder‘s season-opening road win!
Holmgren: 25 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 4 BLK pic.twitter.com/6aIPpf0QG7
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
Holmgren’s ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim was a key factor in the Thunder’s success, while Jokic’s supporting cast struggled to keep up. Christian Braun was one of the few bright spots for the Nuggets, scoring 16 points, but Denver will need to improve their shooting if they hope to bounce back from this early setback.
Celtics Continue Hot Start, Blow Out Wizards
The Boston Celtics continued their early-season dominance, following up their NBA-record-tying performance in their season opener with a 122-102 victory over the Washington Wizards. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the charge once again, with Brown scoring 27 points and Tatum adding 25 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Boston, who hit 29 three-pointers in their first game, kept up their torrid shooting pace, connecting on 17-of-45 from deep. Payton Pritchard was a key contributor off the bench, hitting five 3-pointers en route to 15 points, while Derrick White added 19 points, including four 3-pointers of his own.
THURSDAY’S FINAL SCORES
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combine for 52 points as the @celtics move to 2-0!
Tatum: 25 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST
Derrick White: 19 PTS (4 3PM), 4 AST
Payton Pritchard: 15 PTS (5 3PM) pic.twitter.com/EDxUzIsne2— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
The Celtics built a comfortable lead, stretching their advantage to as many as 32 points in the second half. Washington struggled to keep pace, especially from beyond the arc, where they shot just 7-of-36. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 26 points, while Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Kuzma chipped in 18 and 12 points, respectively. However, the Wizards’ lack of shooting depth was exposed in this contest, as they were unable to match Boston’s offensive firepower.
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Key Takeaways from the NBA Openers
- Klay Thompson’s Smooth Transition to Dallas: In his first game with the Mavericks, Klay Thompson showed why Dallas brought him in. His sharpshooting and ability to stretch the floor perfectly complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If Thompson can stay healthy, the Mavericks have a legitimate chance to compete at a high level in the Western Conference.
- Victor Wembanyama’s Learning Curve: Wembanyama’s NBA debut was a mixed bag. While he flashed his potential with 17 points and nine rebounds, his shooting struggles highlighted areas for improvement. As he continues to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA, Spurs fans should remain patient with the promising rookie.
- Boston’s Continued Dominance: The Celtics are off to a flying start, and their shooting has been the main catalyst. With Tatum and Brown firing on all cylinders and a deep roster of contributors like Pritchard and White, Boston looks poised to challenge for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
- Chet Holmgren’s Impact: Holmgren’s debut was a major boost for Oklahoma City. His ability to score inside and out, combined with his defensive presence, makes the Thunder a dangerous team in the West. If Holmgren stays healthy, OKC could be a playoff contender.
- Denver’s Shooting Woes: The Nuggets’ poor shooting night was uncharacteristic, but it cost them the game against Oklahoma City. With Jokic still playing at an elite level, Denver will need better perimeter shooting from their supporting cast to defend their title.
As the NBA season progresses, expect these narratives to evolve, with new players and teams stepping into the spotlight. This opening night provided a glimpse of what’s to come, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season of basketball.
