The NBA season has kicked off with a bang. If these first few games are anything to go by, fans are in for a wild ride this year.
In an unbelievable start, four players scored 40 or more points in their very first games of the season. That’s never happened before in NBA history, according to OptaStats. Out of those four, only one lost his game — and funny enough, he was the top scorer of them all.
Luka Doncic dropped 43 points for the Los Angeles Lakers, but even his huge performance couldn’t save them from losing to the Golden State Warriors by ten points on Tuesday night.
The next night, three more players went off. Anthony Edwards scored 41 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves, hitting 14 of his 28 shots and making all eight of his free throws. His team just managed to edge out a win.
Tyrese Maxey also had a 40-point game for the Philadelphia 76ers. His teammate, rookie VJ Edgecombe, added 34 points in his first-ever NBA game — the most by a debut player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959. Together, they helped the Sixers beat the Celtics by just one point.
Victor Wembanyama also hit 40 points for the San Antonio Spurs. He probably could’ve scored even more, but the team rested him toward the end since they were already crushing the Mavericks. Wemby was incredibly efficient, making 15 of his 21 shots, the best shooting night of all the four.
It almost became five players with 40 points. Houston’s Alperen Sengun finished just one point shy, with 39, in a thrilling double-overtime game.
And it’s not over yet. The Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets haven’t even played their openers. If someone from those teams drops 40, it’ll only make this record-breaking start even crazier.
Either way, this NBA season has started in historic style, and fans can expect plenty more fireworks ahead.
