Starting 5: Luka drops 52, unbeatens keep rolling

Detroit Pistons Best Plays vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Three games, three wins

and 52 from Luka to keep the Lakers rolling.

The first week of the regular season

closed with an eruption from the reigning scoring champ. See what else is trending around the NBA after an electric Opening Week.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Sunday’s Best:

Luka makes Lakers history, Wolves stay howling, Pistons stifle Sixers

Roundup:

Thunder & Grizzlies move to 3-0, Magic rally past Knicks, Haliburton fuels Pacers

What’s Trending – East:

Revamped rosters, big comebacks and big names making early impacts

What’s Trending – West:

Six unbeaten squads, scoring outbursts and early statements

NBA Cup Spotlight:

Breaking down East Group A as Group Play approaches

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Nine games

tip off tonight, highlighted by a star-powered West showdown on Peacock as Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets host Steph Curry’s Warriors (

10 ET

).

NBA Cup Countdown:

The

2026 Emirates NBA Cup

is just four days away as Group Play begins Friday with a 10-game slate, including a Prime doubleheader: Knicks-76ers (7:30 ET), Lakers-Warriors (10 ET).

1. SUNDAY’S BEST: LUKA MAGIC, PLUS BATTLES OF UNBEATENS

This just in:

Luka Dončić is still a problem.

And in a franchise rich

with legends, he’s already carving out his own place in Lakers lore.

Lakers 132, Jazz 123:

In his first masterclass of 2026-27, Dončić went off for an

NBA season-high 52 points

, drilling eight 3s and dishing 10 dimes to will Los Angeles back from an 18-point deficit, as the Lakers stormed past Utah to move to 3-0. |

Recap

Early Avalanche:

Dončić scored 17 in the opening frame, but the Jazz also came out red-hot, jumping out to a 47-29 lead after one

12 Minutes Later:

The Lakers were up 74-71 at the break, outscoring Utah 45-24 in the 2nd quarter, capped by a Luka step-back trey with five ticks left. He had 25 at the half

Then, Showtime:

After dropping 14 more in the 3rd, Luka took over late, splashing three 3s amid a 14-5 run to put the Lakers up six with 1:42 left

Finishing Touches:

Austin Reaves (29 pts) hit another triple to put the game on ice, while Luka tacked on two late free throws to get to 52 – making history in the process

And what history it was.

Dončić became the first Laker to record 50+ points, 10+ assists, 5+ rebounds and 5+ 3s in a game.

Fittingly,

the historic outburst also made him the fastest Laker to reach 3,000 points with the team, doing so in just 95 games to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark of 109 – and putting on plenty of shows along the way.

“When he’s in the flow state,

he gets into ‘Showman Mode,’” said Lakers head coach JJ Redick postgame. “

He’s on stage performing

. And that’s always really fun to watch.”

Also 3-0?

The Wolves and Pistons, who each handed an unbeaten opponent its first loss Sunday.

And Minnesota isn’t just winning.

It’s winning big.

Wolves 117, Raptors 94:

LaMelo Ball went 4-for-5 from deep en route to 15 points in his

Minnesota home debut

, while Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 26 as the Wolves clamped down on Toronto for their third straight 20+ point win. |

Rare Company:

The Wolves are just the third team in NBA history to open a season with three consecutive 20+ point dubs, joining the 2004-05 Jazz and the 1962-63 Celtics, who went on to win the NBA Finals

The Key?

Getting stops. Minnesota owns an NBA-best 96.1 DefRtg through three games, while holding its opponents to 23.6% from 3

Latest Locks:

Minnesota held Scottie Barnes scoreless (0-12 FG), while Ja’Kobe Walter led Toronto (22 pts) with Kawhi Leonard out

Pistons 106, 76ers 93:

Tyrese Maxey scored 18 of his 29 points in the 4th, but Cade Cunningham (

26 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast

) and Detroit held off multiple Philly rallies to stay perfect, winning wire-to-wire despite missing All-Star center Jalen Duren (hamstring) and defensive stalwart Ausar Thompson (ankle). |

East’s Last Unbeaten:

The loss drops Philly to 3-1, giving Detroit sole possession of first place in the East

More Shine:

LeBron James (18 pts, 5 ast) and Jaylen Brown (16 pts) combined for 34 points for Philly, which was without Joel Embiid (rest) and VJ Edgecombe (abdominal), while Duncan Robinson scored 21 for Detroit on five 3s

2. ROUNDUP: OKC & GRIZZ GO TO 3-0, FRANZ FIRE & HALI’S HOT START

Zach Beeker + Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

The Thunder

are also perfect, but Sunday’s win came with a significant loss.

Thunder 108, Clippers 101:

After seeing his record streak of 141 consecutive 20+ point games end Thursday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back with a game-high 34 to lift OKC past the Clippers, moving the Thunder to 3-0.

But the win was overshadowed

by a frightening scene late in the 4th, when Jalen Williams suffered a

serious lower-left-leg injury

and had to be stretchered off the floor. |

“Just feel bad for him,”

said an emotional SGA postgame, fighting back tears. “Nothing more than that.”

Awaiting Updates:

OKC did not immediately provide a diagnosis, with head coach Mark Daigneault saying the team expects an update Monday

Grizzlies 123, Kings 112:

Memphis joined OKC at 3-0, as Ty Jerome (31 pts, 6 ast) and No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer (16 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk) continued their hot starts, staving off Sacramento despite 37 points from Zach LaVine. |

Running On Diesel:

In three games, Boozer has totaled 48 points and 35 boards. The last player to hit those totals in their first three career outings? Shaquille O’Neal

Ty’s Tear:

Jerome (104 pts) is now the second player in Grizzlies history to score 100+ points in the first three games of a season, joining Ja Morant (2x)

Magic 111, Knicks 102:

Franz Wagner entered the 4th quarter with two points and the Magic down four. By night’s end, he had 23,

pouring in 21 in the final frame

as the Magic used a 40-point quarter to rally past the Knicks, dropping the defending champs to 0-3. |

With A Cost:

It’s the Magic’s first win under head coach Sean Sweeney, but the team – already without Paolo Banchero (ankle)

for multiple weeks

– lost Jalen Suggs to a non-contact knee injury in the 4th

Pacers 136, Nets 109:

After leading a late rally in their season-opener, Tyrese Haliburton (24 pts, 10 ast) guided Indy to another dub alongside Pascal Siakam (21 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) as the Pacers topped the Nets to move to 2-1. |

Back Balling:

In his first three games since tearing his right Achilles tendon in the 2025 Finals, Haliburton has averaged 21.7 points and 9.7 assists

ICYMI:

Hali received a

massive ovation

during pregame introductions Friday in his first regular-season game back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

3. WHAT’S TRENDING – EAST: NEW LOOKS & EARLY IMPACTS

Sarah Stier/NBAE via Getty Images

In the

2026-27 NBA GM Survey

,

eight different teams were picked to finish fourth or better in the East.

In just one week,

several squads have already offered a glimpse of what could make this conference race so compelling. Below are just a few of the early storylines taking shape.

Comeback Kings:

In the season’s first game, the Pistons

rallied from 22 down

to beat the Celtics, marking the largest comeback on the first day of the regular season since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98.

Two nights later,

the Sixers raised the bar,

erasing a 29-point deficit

to beat the Cavs in LeBron James’ and Jaylen Brown’s home debuts in Philly.

Historic Rally:

It marked Philly’s largest comeback in the play-by-play era, with James (17 pts), Brown (21), Tyrese Maxey (32) and Joel Embiid (24) combining for 94 points

To The Max:

Philly sits 2nd in the East at 3-1, with Maxey leading the conference in scoring at 28.8 ppg

Brian Sevald + Maddie Meyer/NBAE via Getty Images

Boston Duo Balling:

Despite the opening day loss to Detroit, Paul George went off for 38 points, the most ever by a player in his Celtics debut.

On Friday,

it was Jayson Tatum’s turn. The six-time All-Star filled the stat sheet against New York (36 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl), scoring 25 in the 2nd half with three straight buckets

in the final 1:24

to close out the reigning champs.

“JT was special,”

said George postgame. “He put the team on his back.”

Tonight,

the Celtics look to move to 2-1 as they host the Bulls on League Pass (7:30 ET)

Fresh Promise:

More retooled rosters have flashed their potential in the East, with the Hornets, Wizards and Hawks all sitting at 2-1.

Stepping Up In Charlotte:

Naz Reid (20.0 ppg) and Grayson Allen (17.3) have provided a big boost for the Hornets, leading them to wins over Brooklyn and Miami despite being without Kon Knueppel (hamstring) and Coby White (calf)

Charlotte’s Opponent Tonight?

The Wizards (7 ET, League Pass), with their new duo of Anthony Davis (20.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and Trae Young (22.3 ppg, 11.3 apg) already clicking

D.C. Energy:

Davis’ 34-point opener matched the most by any Wizard in his debut, while Young is

embracing his new chapter in Washington

, writes NBA.com’s Jeff Zillgitt

Stephen Gosling + Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

ATL Engine:

Coming off his first All-Star nod, Jalen Johnson has picked up right where he left off for Atlanta, averaging a triple-double (21.7 ppg, 10 apg, 10 rpg)

Defensive Edge:

With newcomer Lu Dort joining Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the perimeter, the Hawks rank 2nd in the NBA in forced turnovers (21 per game)

Chi-Town Shine:

Fresh off a 30-point, 14-rebound performance Saturday, Caleb Wilson has tallied 67 points in his first three NBA games, the most by a Bulls rookie through three career outings since Michael Jordan.

Dive Deeper:

The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi breaks down

Wilson’s promising start

and the buzz he’s generating in Chicago

4. WHAT’S TRENDING – WEST: HOT STARTS & EARLY STATEMENTS

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Six days

into the new season, the West is already delivering plenty of fireworks, from high-flying defensive plays to a slew of scoring outbursts.

Red-Hot Houston:

The Rockets have jumped out to their first 3-0 start since 2017, with wins over Atlanta, San Antonio and Dallas.

Amen Elevation:

Leading the Spurs 112-110 in the final seconds Friday, Amen Thompson climbed the ladder to deny Victor Wembanyama

at the rim,

sealing a win over the West champs

By Committee:

Seven Rockets are averaging double figures, led by Kevin Durant (24 ppg), while Fred VanVleet is posting a team-high 10 assists per game after missing all of last season with an ACL injury

Matthew Stockman + Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Mile High Magic:

In Denver, Nikola Jokić is back doing what he does best: stuffing the stat sheet and powering the Nuggets to wins alongside Jamal Murray.

Golden Rally:

Jokić’s first triple-double of the season came in epic proportions Saturday (35 pts, 15 reb, 10 ast), while Murray dropped 42 as Denver erased a 23-point deficit to beat New Orleans in OT

Chasing Russ:

It was Jokić’s 199th career triple-double

, putting him 10 behind Russell Westbrook (209) for the most all-time

Tonight on Peacock (10 ET),

Jokić and Murray look to stay hot as the Nuggets host the Warriors

Issac Baldizon + Ezra Shaw/NBAE via Getty Images

More Sizzle:

Jokić and Murray weren’t the only ones lighting it up during Opening Week.

Before Luka

dropped 52 Sunday, Anthony Edwards and Ty Jerome shared the NBA season-high with 45 points apiece, each setting a franchise record for scoring in a season opener.

Two-Way Wolves:

While the Wolves’ defense has locked down, Edwards has kept the offense humming, averaging 28.7 ppg while shooting 43.3% from 3

And Leading The NBA In Scoring?

That would be Jerome, averaging

34.7 ppg

as the Grizzlies are off to their first 3-0 start in nine years

Sharp Six:

Portland has also joined the unbeaten party out West, opening 2-0 alongside five 3-0 teams: the Wolves, Thunder, Lakers, Grizzlies and Rockets

5. EMIRATES NBA CUP COUNTDOWN: EAST GROUP A PREVIEW

Four days

until the Emirates NBA Cup returns.

The champion

will be crowned Dec. 11 at

historic Hinkle Fieldhouse

, but the road there begins Friday as Group Play gets underway with 10 games.

To set the stage,

NBA.com’s Brian Martin is breaking down all six groups, examining the biggest storylines, key matchups and what it will take to advance. Throughout the week, we’ll spotlight one group each day.

First up: East Group A,

featuring the Pistons, Raptors, Magic, Bucks and Nets, where last spring’s Playoff battles could offer a glimpse of what’s to come, writes Martin.

“The Emirates NBA Cup

brings games with elevated stakes into the early portion of the regular season. Three teams in East Group A have recent experience with the ultimate high-stakes contest — Game 7 — that they can draw from as they begin this year’s competition.”

“Out of the five series

that went seven games in the 2026 Playoffs, three featured teams in this group — the Pistons, Raptors and Magic — including a head-to-head matchup between Detroit and Orlando in the first round.” |

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