Ben Simmons was named as the first pick in last year draft with the Philadelphia 76ers but did not participate with him because of a broken right foot. Although Simmons scored 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists but his team lost their first game of the season, "I felt like I was playing a video game frankly," said Simmons. John Wall scored 28 points and Bradley Bell added 25 Points for Washington. While Robert Covington scored 29 points and his team-mate Joel Embiid scored 18 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes, after injuries forced him to participate in only 31 games in the last three seasons.
But the difference was very close between them (115-113) 1.44 minutes before the end of the game. "What about Ben Simmons first game in the league? His first game was exceptional, really exceptional," said Brett Brown the 76ers' coach.
Injuries do not pity anyone
A day after Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward suffered a major ankle fracture, Jeremy Lin, the first American of Taiwan origin, was injured as the Brooklyn Nets lost to Indiana Pacers 131-140. Lin (18 points) was injured on his right knee after falling on the ground in a strange way, 4.53 minutes before the end of the game.
Another loss to the Celtics
Before the Boston Celtics game at home, Hayward posted an emotional video that reassured the Boston's fans that he was fine.
But the Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo stole the spotlight and led his team to beat the Celtics 108-100. "The Greek Freak" scored 37 points and 13 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving scored 17 points for Boston. Antetokounmpo made a stunning performance in the game as the Celtics manager Brad Stevens said: “When you watched Giannis tonight, you thought, that’s an MVP candidate right there.”
Exciting results on the second day
Frenchman Evan Fournier scored 23 points, including 7 in the last two minutes, to lead the Orlando Magic to a win over the Miami Heat 116-109, this is Orlando's first win in their opening game since 2012.
While Hassan Whiteside was the best scorer of the game as he finished the game with 26 points and 22 rebounds. Following the opening win over the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets made their second win away over the Sacramento Kings 105-100. As usual, James Harden was the top scorer with 27 points and 9 assists. Eric Gordon, 25, Swiss-born Clint Capela added 22 points and 17 rebounds.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the San Antonio Spurs to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-99 with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Damian Lillard (27 points) shined with the Portland Trail Blazers, who beat the Phoenix Suns 124-76. Dennis Schroeder led the Atlanta Hawks to a 117-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks with a 28-point lead. While Frenchman Rudy Gobert (18 points and 10 rebounds) led the Utah Jazz to win over the Denver Nuggets 106-96. The Pistons had a positive start to their new home, the Little Caesars Arena, as they beat Charlotte Hornets 102-90, Tobias Harris scored 27 points for the winner and Kemba Walker 24 for the loser. On the other side Mike Conley (27 points), Marc Gasol (14 points and 11 rebounds) led the Memphis Grizzlies to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans 103-91. 33 points, 18 rebounds for Anthony Davies, 28 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks for DeMarcus Cousins were not enough to spare the Pelicans their first loss of the season.
