- Curry scores 33 points as the Warriors defeat LeBron James’ Lakers 123-109.
- The Golden State star makes an emotional plea in support of Brittney Griner.
- In the NBA regular-season opener, the Celtics defeated the 76ers 126-117.
The Golden State Warriors beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 on Tuesday night after receiving their championship rings in a pregame ceremony, led by Stephen Curry’s 33 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
Jordan Poole made a nice bounce pass to a driving Draymond Green for a layup, and everything seemed fine with the defending champions almost two weeks after Green punched Poole at practice on 5 October, then took a brief leave of absence to work on his emotions. Poole finished the game with 12 points and seven assists.
Russell Westbrook peaked 19 points and seized 11 rebounds despite a sore left hamstring, while LeBron James had 31 points, 14 rebounds, as well as eight assists. Anthony Davis added 27 points, but the Lakers couldn’t keep up with Curry and company in another signature, runaway third quarter.
Klay Thompson scored 18 points in 20 minutes for the Warriors, who won their fourth championship in eight years.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr restricted not only Thompson’s but also Green’s minutes, who was absent from the team till last Thursday. Kerr said he will increase Thompson’s minutes per game as a caution after his comeback in January from a two-and-a-half-year absence due to surgeries on his left knee and right achilles tendon.
Warriors center James Wiseman appeared for the first time since his rookie season of 2019-20, having missed the entire previous season due to right knee surgery. He finished with eight points as well as seven rebounds.
“We want to keep using our platform and this opportunity to recognize a very special member of the basketball community.” “Today is Brittney Griner’s 32nd birthday,” Curry told the audience.
“We want to keep her name known and pray… it’s been 243 days since she was wrongfully imprisoned in Russia.” We hope she returns soon, and that everyone does their part to bring her home.”
117-126 in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA regular season opener. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points each.
Malcolm Brogdon had 16 points and Grant Williams had 15 as the defending Eastern Conference champions delivered interim coach Joe Mazzulla his first victory.
Mazzulla has taken over as team captain after Ime Udoka was suspended for the season due to an investigation by a law firm that discovered he violated several team policies. Mazzulla skillfully led a Celtics team with a resemblance to the one that shocked the NBA by reaching the finals last season.
Boston took a 110-97 lead with eight minutes remaining and did not slack. James Harden scored 35 points, his most since having joined the 76ers last season, making 12 of 12 free throws. He also made five three-point attempts. Joel Embiid chipped in with 26 points as well as 15 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey completed with a total of 21 points.
Mazzulla has vowed to maintain the culture that Udoka developed on the court as a new head coach last season. He asserts that it will be done primarily on defense, but the offense was the tale for the Celtics on Tuesday, as they shot 56% from the field.
With big man Robert Williams out due to off-season knee surgery, the Celtics maintained the same starting lineup they used in the preseason, starting defensive stalwart Derrick White along with Marcus Smart, Tatum, Brown, as well as Al Horford.
The smaller group sped up Philadelphia at occasions, pushing the 76ers into 14 turnovers for the game, which led to 22 points for Boston.
With Harden entering his first full season in Philadelphia after being traded for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn, the 76ers are looking to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Harden appeared revitalized after a season marred by hamstring injuries that limited his effectiveness in a shortened 21 regular-season games against the Sixers last season. The 10-time All-Star irritated the Celtics by displaying the mobility that he lacked a year ago. He was frequently able to get to the free-throw line.
He also made four three-pointers in the first-half, including one with a rainbow heave from the top of the key to outdo the shot clock late in the second quarter.
