Explosive Debuts and Historical Nights: Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and Walker Kessler Headline NBA Slate

Read Time:4 Minute, 2 Second

WASHINGTON — Opening week across the NBA delivered pure fireworks, headlined by statement franchise debuts, historical shooting nights, and single-game scoring explosions. From Anthony Davis putting on a showcase in the nation’s capital to Walker Kessler putting his name alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, the league’s new era kicked off with maximum intensity.

After a three-game tease Tuesday, the NBA is back in full swing. Here is some of the action from last night’s games.

Davis Drops 34, Powers Wizards Past Bucks in Fourth-Quarter Surge

After nine months away from action due to injury, Anthony Davis made his long-awaited Washington debut unforgettable, racking up 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in a 128-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Tying the Wizards’ franchise record for most points in a team debut, Davis dominated the interior alongside point guard Trae Young, who orchestrated the offense with 20 points and a game-high 13 assists.

Playing without top overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa (ankle), Washington overcame early perimeter shooting struggles through sheer defensive pressure and rim protection. The game-breaking moment unfolded early in the fourth quarter when Davis and Young ignited a devastating 21-2 run, turning a tight contest into a runaway victory and drawing “MVP” chants from the energizing home crowd at Capital One Arena.

Minnesota Nice > Miami Vice https://t.co/Ls2Ao4skAf

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 22, 2026

Edwards Drops 45 as Timberwolves Blow Past Giannis and the Heat

In Miami, Anthony Edwards put on an absolute shooting clinic, pouring in 45 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a dominant 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat. Edwards knocked down nine 3-pointers on 16-of-29 shooting, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only icons in NBA history with multiple 40-point performances in season openers. The offensive explosion completely spoiled the Heat debut of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting but received limited help beyond Bam Adebayo (15 points), Andrew Wiggins (11 points), and Klay Thompson (10 points).

Minnesota’s decisive blow came right out of halftime when Edwards and new teammate LaMelo Ball—who scored 21 points with five 3-pointers in his Timberwolves debut—drilled consecutive triples during a 16-2 surge to open the third quarter. Complemented by Jaden McDaniels’ 17 points, Terrence Shannon Jr.’s spark off the bench, and Rudy Gobert’s 15 rebounds, Minnesota connected on 21 total 3-pointers to leave Kaseya Center stunned.

Kessler Goes 12-for-12 in Flawless Lakers Debut Against Warriors

Los Angeles unveiled its new-look frontcourt astoundingly as Walker Kessler delivered a perfect shooting masterclass in a 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Kessler scored 26 points on an immaculate 12-for-12 shooting night while grabbing nine rebounds and blocking two shots. In doing so, Kessler became the first Laker to record 10 dunks in a single game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003 and the first to shoot 100% on double-digit attempts since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969.

Feeding off Luka Doncic’s elite playmaking, Kessler repeatedly punished Golden State’s interior defenders, Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga, with alley-oops and rim-running finishes. The game shifted decisively in the second quarter when Kessler threw down three consecutive dunks during a 14-3 Los Angeles run, establishing an insurmountable double-digit cushion that Stephen Curry and Golden State could never crack, even as the Lakers managed without Collin Sexton and Cameron Carr.

Jerome Erupts for Career-High 45 in Grizzlies’ Season-Opening Rout of Jazz

In Memphis, guard Ty Jerome delivered an unforgettable opening-night masterclass, pouring in a career-high 45 points to propel the Memphis Grizzlies to a 123-103 victory over the Utah Jazz at FedExForum. Shooting a blistering 17-of-25 from the floor and 5-of-10 from three-point range while adding seven rebounds and six assists, Jerome set a Grizzlies franchise record for the most points scored in a season-opener, eclipsing Ja Morant’s previous mark of 44 set in 2020. Joined by newcomer Jerami Grant (15 points) and top rookie Cam Boozer (11 rebounds), Jerome ignited a game-breaking 18-4 third-quarter run that blew the game open and stretched Memphis’ lead to 27 points.

Utah was led by Keyonte George’s 22 points and Lauri Markkanen’s 18, while former Grizzly Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 15 points in his return to Memphis before fouling out. The FedExForum crowd capped the explosive performance with echoing “MVP” chants as Jerome closed out his career night at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Stay tuned to NGSC Sports for full coverage, postgame reactions, and in-depth analysis throughout the 2026-27 NBA season.