Opening night for the 2024–25 NBA Season is in the history books, and it was historic in more ways than one.
Celtics Make History
First, the Boston Celtics kicked off the new NBA season by raising Banner no. 18, a league record for most championships in history. Then, after receiving their shiny new NBA championship rings, the Cs proceeded to decimate the New York Knicks, 132-109, behind a historic effort from downtown.
Facing a team pundits believe will give them a big challenge come playoff time, the defending champs turned up the heat right in the opening frame, racing out to a 43-24 advantage in the first with some red-hot shooting from long range. The Celtics never looked back, burying the retooled Knicks under an avalanche of triples led by Jayson Tatum’s eight makes (on 11 attempts) and Derrick White’s six treys (on 10 attempts).
When all was said and done, the Cs finished with 29 three-pointers, tying the 29 the Milwaukee Bucks made on December 29, 2020, in a game versus the Miami Heat. The defending champs actually had a chance to set the record outright, having gotten to 29 with still seven minutes left. But the Celtics bench went 0-for-13 with the game already out of reach.
Lakers Make Their Own History—Sort Of
The Los Angeles Lakers also made some history in the nightcap. The Purple and Gold became the first team with a father-and-son duo playing together in the same regular season game when Bronny James played with his dad, LeBron, late in the first half in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the rejigged Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron and Bronny had previously made history in the preseason when they became the first dad-son combo to play in an official NBA game. As in the preseason, the two shared the floor only briefly this time, playing together for a little over two minutes.
The father-and-son duo combined for 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks—with all but one rebound recorded by LeBron.
Action Will Pick Up in the Coming Days
After a two-game slate in opening night, action will be picking up in the coming days as the other teams start to see action. On tap for tomorrow, October 24, will be 10 games highlighted by an early season showdown between contenders Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors will also make their debuts opposite the Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trailblazers.
