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Ranking the 10 splashiest debuts from 2022-23 NBA season opener

By Jacob Ellerbee

NBA PG Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NBA PG Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NBA player Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
NBA player Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports) /

6. Walker Kessler records double-double in NBA debut for Utah Jazz

Rookie big man Walker Kessler recorded a double-double in his first-ever NBA game, posting 12 points, 10 rebounds and a steal. He looks to be a key piece for the Jazz as they look to retool after trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in the offseason.

Kessler is one of just two rookies to record a double-double in their league debut (the other being Jalen Duren).

5. NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert makes his debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves

The most talked about NBA trade this offseason was the Wolves bringing in Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz at the price of five players and five future draft picks.

Minnesota pushed all their chips into the middle of the table and bet on Gobert to be the missing piece they need to be championship contenders. With a lot riding on his debut with the Wolves, Gobert did not disappoint. His 23 points, 16 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal helped Minnesota topple the Oklahoma City Thunder in his debut with his new team.

4. Dejounte Murray forms dynamic duo with Trae Young in debut with Hawks

If Gobert was the No. 1 NBA offseason acquisition, Dejounte Murray has to be the second-biggest and most talked about. Murray was traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Atlanta Hawks for a bevy of draft picks, making his first game in Atlanta highly anticipated.

The 2022 NBA All-Star put on a show with new teammate Trae Young and demonstrated why they will lay claim to the league’s most lethal backcourt in 2022-23. Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet against the Rockets, putting up 20 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and a block in 38 minutes of action.

All those questions about whether or not Murray and Young could coexist in the same backcourt have quickly been put to rest. Young chipped in 23 points, 13 assists and 3 rebounds himself, putting the entire NBA on notice.