The NBA returned six days ago and we’re still trying to catch our breaths after a frenetic start to the season. Six games happened in six arenas across the United States on Sunday, October 24, the sixth gameday of the season.
Finally off the mark
After starting their season with two consecutive losses, the Los Angeles Lakers finally have one in the win column. The Lakers won a hard-fought game at the Staples Centre 121-118 against the impressive Memphis Grizzlies.
Carmelo Anthony led the scoring for the Lakers with 28 points in a performance that felt like 2010 again. Melo has now surpassed Moses Malone to move into ninth on the all-time scoring list.
On the night where @carmeloanthony moved to ninth all-time in scoring, he led the @Lakers to the win with 28 PTS with six 3PM 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P2pJT6TI1V — NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2021
Ja Morant notched 40 points and 10 rebounds and even more impressively, every Grizzlies starter hit double digits in points.
It wasn’t enough in the end, Morant missed a free throw that would have tied the game with five seconds left.
Speaking of first wins, the Boston Celtics also got on the board with a 107-97 win against the Houston Rockets. It also counts as a first career win as an NBA head coach and first in charge of the Celtics for Ime Udoka.
Jayson Tatum proved too good for the Rockets defense with 31 points and nine assists, his current season-high points total.
History makers
Rockets rookie, Jalen Green finally showed why he went second overall with 30 points in that loss to the Celtics. That’s the most points in a game by any teenager in Rockets history. It also ties Yao Ming for the most points by a Rockets rookie in the last 20 seasons.
JALEN GREEN BREAKOUT GAME 🚨 30 PTS 4 REB 3 AST 11/18 FG 8/10 3PT He broke the Rockets rookie record for most 3s made in a game 🚀@JalenGreen (📸: @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/UXWAQUrG7r — Overtime (@overtime) October 25, 2021
More astonishingly, Green shot 8 for 10 from 3-point range which is also the joint-most 3-point field goals by any teenager in NBA history.
The Orlando Magic also secured their first win of the season, beating the New York Knicks 110-104 thanks to Cole Anthony’s historic performance.
The sophomore scored 29 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and had eight assists, and five three-pointers. The historic part is that Anthony becomes only the sixth guard in NBA history to record a 25-15-5 stat-line. He Joins Steph Curry, James Harden, Luka Doncic, Russel Westbrook, and Manu Ginobili on the list.
Cole Anthony tonight: 29 PTS 16 REB 8 AST 5 3PT He joins Steph, Harden, Luka, Westbrook and Manu as the only guards in NBA history with a 25/15/5 & 5+ 3PT stat line. pic.twitter.com/uzYYHRhofr — StatMuse (@statmuse) October 25, 2021
The Charlotte Hornets pulled off a shock 111-95 win in Brooklyn against the Nets to remain one of three undefeated teams in the Eastern Conference. It is also the first the Hornets have been 3-0 to start a season in franchise history.
Family recipe
It’s no secret that the Currys have that long-range sooting sauce (pun intended) both Steph and Seth are prolific scorers. The Philadelphia 76ers beat Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday by 115-103 thanks to Seth Curry’s 28 points.
23 of Seth Curry’s 28 points were scored in the first quarter, making it the second-highest-scoring quarter by any player this season. Who has the highest? Steph Curry, also in the first quarter against the Clippers.
The two highest scoring quarters of the season so far belong to the Curry brothers 💦 ➤ Steph: 25 in first quarter on Thursday vs LAC ➤ Seth: 23 in first quarter today vs OKC (h/t @ESPNStatsInfo) pic.twitter.com/YwIo2NVwDh — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 25, 2021
Speaking of Steph, he led the scoring with 27 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 119-107.
That makes it a wonderful 3-0 start for the Warriors who are starting to look like their old selves again.