9. NBA rookies Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey were outstanding for Detroit Pistons
The rebuild in Mowtown appears primed to take a massive step forward if the Pistons get nightly production from rookies Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey like we saw in the team’s season opener against the Orlando Magic.
Duren was fabulous, posting a double-double in his first game as an NBA player: 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just 21 minutes of action. Ivey was equally impressive, posting 19 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals on 53% shooting from the field.
8. Jalen Brunson did a little bit of everything in his New York Knicks debut
After spurning the Mavericks in favor of signing with the New York Knicks during the NBA offseason, point guard Jalen Brunson needed to show the Knick faithful that he was worthy of the $104 million contract he signed in July.
Brunson logged a solid stat line of 15 points, 9 assists and 6 steals. Most notably, however, he planted himself in front of Ja Morant at the end of regulation to draw a charge and send the game into overtime. You love to see the nine-figure player sacrificing his body in an effort to try and help the team get a win.
Charge or block? pic.twitter.com/8gYPgTpwYS
— Beale Street Bears (@BealeStBearsFS) October 20, 2022
Unfortunately for Brunson, the Knicks lost in overtime to the Grizzlies. But still, Brunson looks like a great fit in New York.
7. Christian Wood was on fire in his first game with Dallas Mavericks
What a debut for Christian Wood. The Dallas Mavericks showed why they were so keen on acquiring him in a trade from the Houston Rockets this offseason.
Wood, in 24 minutes off the bench, scored 25 points against the Phoenix Suns. He went off late in the third and early fourth quarter, pouring in 16 consecutive points for the Mavs when they needed a spark while Luke Doncic was on the bench.
Unfortunately, Christian Wood’s debut was upstaged by another player making his debut, more on that later.