The Denver Nuggets showcased their strength in their home opener, defeating the Phoenix Suns 133-111 on October 28, 2023. Led by Nikola Jokic, who recorded his second consecutive triple-double of the season, the Nuggets demonstrated a well-rounded offensive attack.
Jokic finished the game with 14 points, 15 assists, and 14 rebounds. Notably, he took only eight shots, hitting five, with his first attempt coming from a free throw late in the first half. Jamal Murray contributed significantly to the win with 23 points, while Christian Braun added 20 points and Aaron Gordon scored 17 points, two nights after achieving a career-high 50 points.
The Nuggets had an impressive shooting percentage of 51.2%, converting 43 of 84 attempts from the field. In contrast, the Suns struggled with their shooting, finishing at 43.2% with 38 of 88 made shots. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 31 points, supported by Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks, who scored 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Thunder, Bulls, and 76ers Secure Victories
In another exciting matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder remained unbeaten, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 117-100. Chet Holmgren, who had been listed as questionable due to back soreness, played a pivotal role, scoring a season-high 31 points along with 11 rebounds. Holmgren shot 8-for-12 from the field, including 6-for-8 from beyond the arc. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also shined, contributing 30 points, with 17 of those coming in a dominant third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls secured a 110-98 victory over the Orlando Magic. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 21 points, supported by a strong bench performance that contributed 58 points collectively. Notable contributions from Jalen Smith and Ayo Dosunmu saw them add 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Orlando’s Paolo Banchero was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points despite a shooting performance of 7-for-21.
The Philadelphia 76ers edged the Charlotte Hornets in a thrilling contest, winning 125-121. Quentin Grimes came off the bench to score 24 points and hit a crucial tiebreaking three-pointer with just 15 seconds remaining. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points and 9 assists, while Joel Embiid added 20 points. For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball delivered an impressive performance with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Grizzlies Dominate Pacers with Rookie Star
In a standout performance, rookie Cedric Coward helped the Memphis Grizzlies secure a dominant 128-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Coward, in just his third NBA game, scored an impressive 27 points, hitting all six of his three-point attempts. Ja Morant also contributed significantly, recording 19 points and 8 assists. The Grizzlies maintained a clean offensive game, committing just four turnovers throughout the match.
The Pacers struggled to find consistent scoring, with Bennedict Mathurin leading the team with 26 points before exiting the game due to a sore right foot. Aaron Nesmith added 15 points, while both Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin contributed 13 points each.
As the NBA season progresses, these early matchups highlight the competitive landscape, with key players stepping up for their teams and setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
