From out … to outrageous.
On a night full of record-setting season openers, Victor Wembanyama turned his first game in 252 days into a see-it-to-believe-it spectacle.
5 stories in today’s edition 🏀
Oct. 23, 2025
Out Of This World: Wemby blurs the line between human and highlight in historic opener
Philly Special: Edgecombe enters rare air alongside Maxey’s record night
East Statements: Knicks outlast Cavs, Giannis goes off, Magic rally, Raptors & Bulls win
Stars Shine: 41 for Ant, Ja & Zion duel, Book cooks, LaMelo & Miller link, Jazz roll
Tonight On ESPN: The last pair of season openers, with a Finals rematch and an MVP showdown
But first … ⏰
More fireworks tonight
Unprecedented Opening Week: We’ve already seen eight 35+ point performances to tip off 2025-26 – a new NBA record for season openers, with the Pacers and Nuggets still set to debut tonight on ESPN.
The doubleheader begins with Indy hosting a familiar foe in SGA and OKC (7:30 ET), before Nikola Jokić and Denver visit Golden State (10 ET).
1. Wemby wows in unreal return
“A figment of our basketball imaginations.”
“It’s like playing with your dad in the driveway when you’re eight years old. What do you do?”
“It’s like an alien video game.”
“He is just beyond special.”
Those were just some of the ways ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco and Jay Bilas tried to describe Victor Wembanyama on Wednesday, as he turned Game 1 of 82 into one-of-one.
Spurs 125, Mavericks 92: In his first game since February, Wemby reminded everyone why his skill set defies logic, piling up 40 points, 15 boards and 3 blocks to lead San Antonio past Dallas on the night of Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut (10 pts, 10 reb). | Recap
- Record-Setter: With the performance, Wemby set the Spurs’ opening-night scoring record and joined Anthony Davis (2016) as the only players to post 40/15/3 in a season opener since blocks were first recorded in 1973-74
- Efficient Giant: En route to his 40-ball, Wemby went 15-of-21 from the field – joining Karl Malone as the only players to record 40 & 15 on 70% or better shooting in a season opener
- Simply Flawless: Wemby did all that while not committing a turnover, becoming the first player ever to record such a stat line in any regular-season game since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78
- More Standouts: Stephon Castle also stuffed the stat sheet for San Antonio (22 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast), while AD led Dallas (22 pts, 13 reb)
Wemby’s return wasn’t just about the numbers. It was also how he got there. First came the setback, a season cut short by a deep vein thrombosis. Then came the comeback – a summer spent rebuilding, refocusing and reimagining what he could be.
On Wednesday, it all came together.
- Everywhere At Once: The 7-foot-4 phenom owned all 94 feet – swatting shots, hammering home lobs and gliding like a guard
- Peak Wemby: That included a ridiculous coast-to-coast sequence, starting with an emphatic block before splashing a crossover, stepback and-1 triple – all amid a personal 10-0 run
- “[I feel] much more in control,“ said Wemby on his return. “I saw what it’s like to be confronted with potentially losing a lot … so I’m not taking this for granted anymore…
- “I’m having more fun now that I’m not struggling to move … and I’m still going to get better.”
2. Philly special: Edgecombe & Maxey make history
Good rule of thumb: When you break a 1st-quarter record held by LeBron James in your NBA debut – you’re doing something right.
When you finish that debut mentioned alongside Wilt Chamberlain? You’re doing something special.
76ers 117, Celtics 116: In a historic intro, No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe went off for 34 points with five 3s, 7 boards and 3 dimes, putting on a show alongside Tyrese Maxey (40 pts, 6 ast), who also made history as Philly won in Boston. | Recap
- 1st-Quarter King: Edgecombe dropped 14 in the opening 11 minutes, surpassing LeBron for the most 1st-quarter points by any player in their NBA debut
- Half-Century History: By night’s end, the rookie had the 3rd-most points ever in an NBA debut – and the most since Wilt’s 43 in 1959
- Clutch Close: That included the eventual game-winning free throws with 14 seconds left to seal a late comeback
- Tyrese Takeover: Maxey was unconscious from deep, going 7-of-9 from 3 en route to matching Hal Greer (1969) for the Sixers’ opening-night scoring record
The two historic performances didn’t just end in a Sixers win, they offered a glimpse of what this new Philly pairing might become – and what some of their teammates already envisioned.
- “The first day I saw VJ, I was instantly impressed,” said Andre Drummond at Media Day. “He’s a gifted, gifted athlete and he’s very, very good…
- “But I think my favorite thing about him is his confidence.”
Instant Impact: Edgecombe’s confidence and athleticism dazzled in his Summer League debut (28 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast), then followed it up with a viral dunk in Abu Dhabi, flashing his world-class bounce in just his second preseason game.
Consistent Climb: While Edgecombe has burst onto the scene, Maxey has risen from promising young guard to the league’s Most Improved Player to first-time All-Star to Philly’s leading scorer last season.
Add one steady ascent to another instant arrival, and you get two teammates making history in their first game together – combining for 74 points, the second-most ever by a duo in a season opener
But for Maxey, it’s just the start.
- “VJ’s a special talent,” he said at Media Day. “The sky is the limit for him.”
3. East statements: Knicks top Cavs, Giannis pops off & more
Nathaniel S. Butler + Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images
Knicks 119, Cavaliers 111: The Mike Brown era in New York got off to a fast-paced start, as five Knicks scored 15+ points to hold off Donovan Mitchell (31 pts, 5 ast) and the Cavs. OG Anunoby (24 pts, 14 reb) and Jalen Brunson (23 pts, 5 ast) led a dynamic, 11-man Knicks rotation. | Recap
- City Streaks: Spida poured in 21 points in the 3rd to erase a 15-point deficit, but New York sealed the win with a decisive 14-0 run in the final frame
Bucks 133, Wizards 120: Giannis (37 pts, 14 reb, 5 ast) ensured his new-look Bucks never trailed, while Myles Turner showed off his versatility (11 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk) in his first debut. Khris Middleton led the Wizards (23 pts, 6 reb) in his first game back in Milwaukee since being traded. | Recap
James Gilbert + Michael Reaves/NBAE via Getty Images
Magic 125, Heat 121: Paolo Banchero (11 reb) and Franz Wagner (6 ast) scored 24 apiece, Desmond Bane added 23 in his Magic debut, and Orlando closed on a 26-14 run over the final 8:36 to outlast Norman Powell (28 pts) and Miami | Recap
- Hot Start: Despite the loss, only one player has ever scored more in their Heat debut than Powell: LeBron James in 2010 (31 pts)
Bulls 115, Pistons 111: Nikola Vučević (28 pts, 14 reb) and Matas Buzelis (21 pts) helped Chicago survive a 23-point Pistons comeback, fueled by Cade Cunningham (23 pts, 10 ast, 7 reb). Josh Giddey (19 pts, 11 ast) hit 4-of-6 free throws in the final minutes to lock in the win. | Recap
Raptors 138, Hawks 118: RJ Barrett (25 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast), Scottie Barnes (22 pts, 6 reb, 9 ast) and Gradey Dick (21 pts) shine as Toronto outpaced Trae Young (22 pts, 5 ast) and Atlanta in a near wire-to-wire win. | Recap
- First Impressions: Brandon Ingram added 16 points and 9 rebounds in his first game as a Raptor, while Kristaps Porziņģis finished with 20 points in his Hawks debut
4. Stars shine: Ant erupts, Ja & Zion duel, Book cooks and more
New season, same Ant.
Wolves 118, Blazers 114: In his Year 6 opener, Edwards opened his bag, dropping a Wolves’ opening-night record 41 points to spark a late surge, as Minnesota outscored Portland 30-19 in the 4th to secure a comeback dub. | Recap
- “Cold-Blooded”: Ant’s shot to eclipse 40 also iced the game, as he nailed a dagger stepback with 8.6 seconds left (above)
Grizzlies 128, Pelicans 122: In a battle between the top two picks of the 2019 Draft, Ja Morant (35 pts, 13-20 FG) and Zion Williamson (27 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 5 stl) went shot-for-shot. But Morant had the final say, banking a clutch floater in the final minute to seal it. | Recap
Suns 120, Kings 116: After trailing by as many as 20, Devin Booker (31 pts) willed the Suns back alongside offseason addition Dillon Brooks (22 pts), as Phoenix outscored Sacramento 66-45 in the 2nd half. | Recap
Hornets 136, Nets 117: After doing this one week ago, Brandon Miller (25 pts, 7 ast) and LaMelo Ball (20 pts, 8 ast) combined for 45 points, 15 dimes and yet another epic oop, while No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel added 11 points in his NBA debut to help Charlotte pull past Brooklyn. | Recap
Jazz 129, Clippers 108: Walker Kessler (22), Lauri Markkanen (20) and Brice Sensabaugh (20) led six Jazz in double-figures as Utah never trailed to earn a statement win over LA, despite James Harden’s double-double (15 pts, 11 ast). | Recap
5. Tonight on ESPN: Jokić & Nuggets debut after Finals rematch
The final two season debuts of 2025-26 tip off tonight, as the Nuggets and Pacers begin their efforts to repeat deep Playoff runs.
Nuggets at Warriors (10 ET): As new West contenders begin to break through, the former champs in Denver and The Bay are retooling to get back to the Conference Finals and beyond. That work begins with how they surround their transcendent superstars.
- Mile-High: NBA GMs like Nikola Jokić to win his 4th career Kia MVP Award this season, after he became just the third player ever (and first non-guard) to average a triple-double last season
- Help From Afar: After posting the 4th-best OffRtg in 2024-25, Denver added perimeter targets Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway, Jr., who each shoot better than 35% from 3 for their careers. Bruce Brown, a standout on the 2023 title team, is also back
Jamal Murray and crew are buying into the improvements. “Just having all these weapons in different spots, I feel like we can have one of the [best] benches in the league.”
While Denver has improvement plans, Golden State has early results with an Opening Night victory over the Lakers, capped by a dagger 3 from Steph Curry.
- Butler’s Best: Jimmy Butler’s 31 points on Opening Night are the most he’s scored for the Warriors, and the most of any season opener in his 14-year career
- Cue Jimmy: “[Jimmy] just controls the game out there for us,” said Steve Kerr
But before chasing the next title, let’s revisit an instant classic Finals with a rematch…
Thunder at Pacers (7:30 ET): After receiving their rings and raising a banner on night one, OKC returns to Indiana for Game 2, as the new-look Pacers await.
- Still Shai: SGA resumed his MVP form late in Tuesday’s Opening Night thriller (35 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) to finish off the Rockets.
- Thundering Herd: OKC’s championship roster remains intact, but the contributions keep evolving, with more scoring from Chet Holmgren (28 pts Tuesday), Cason Wallace locking in defensively (16.6% opp 3FG%) and Ajay Mitchell (16 pts) emerging
- New Challenge: Facing OKC once again, Indiana begins life without Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner
- Strength In Numbers: The Pacers will lean on East Finals MVP Pascal Siakam to steer a retooled squad built on depth, which led the league last year with 46 games of 6+ players scoring in double figures
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