It was a stacked Thursday for hoops action as the 2025–26 NBA season went into full swing thanks to 12 games on the schedule. And, as always, we picked out the daily notables in this recap, including rookie VJ Edgecombe’s terrific debut and Victor Wembanyama’s alien-like showing:
VJ Edgecombe Joins Elite Company as Sixers Stun Celtics
Rookie VJ Edgecombe and young star Tyrese Maxey combined for 74 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers rally past the Boston Celtics, 117-116, at TD Garden.
Maxey fired a game-high 40 points on 7-for-9 shooting from downtown to lead the Sixers’ attack—including three straight at one point in the fourth to pull Philly back from a double-digit deficit. Edgecombe added 34 markers to register the most points in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain had 43 in 1959. It is the third-most points for a rookie in his first game, trailing only Chamberlain and Frank Selvy (35 in 1954), and the most for a Sixers rookie (breaking Allen Iverson’s 30 in 1996).
Walker Kessler Makes History as Jazz Cruise Past Clippers
The Utah Jazz pulled out the first true shocker of the 2025–26 NBA season by not only beating the Los Angeles Clippers but in the way they did it: a 129-108 demolition of a so-called title contender.
Utah drew big games from all around, but it was Walker Kessler who led the way with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks on a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. With that stellar stat line, the young big became the first in NBA history to post said numbers on perfect shooting.
The Jazz, who led by as much as 37 at one point, also set a team mark for most points in a season opener.
Victor Wembanyama Sets Spurs Mark in Dominant Debut vs. Mavericks
Big man Victor Wembanyama is ready to tear the NBA apart.
That much he proved after a 40-point, 15-rebound season debut where he led the San Antonio Spurs to a dominant 125-92 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in American Airlines Center. Wembanyama, nicknamed “Alien,” added 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks on 15-for-21 shooting and 9-for-11 from the foul line in a methodical dismantling of Dallas’ bigs.
Wembanyama’s 40 markers set the Spurs’ franchise record for most points in a season opener, resetting George Gervin’s 29-point high 48 years ago.
Complete Scoreboard:
Knicks defeated Cavs, 119-11
Hornets defeated Nets, 136-117
Magic defeated Heat, 125-121
Raptors defeated Hawks, 138-118
76ers defeated Celtics, 117-116
Bulls defeated Pistons, 115-111
Pelicans defeated Grizzlies, 128-122
Bucks defeated Wizards, 133-120
Jazz defeated Clippers, 129-108
Spurs defeated Mavs, 125-92
Suns defeated Kings, 120-116
Timberwolves defeated Trail Blazers, 118-114
