NBA News Today: Paolo Banchero has historic NBA debut, Phoenix Suns get revenge on Dallas Mavericks, and more | October 20, 2022
On Wednesday night, the No. 1 pick from the 2022 NBA draft, Paolo Banchero, made history in his debut game for the Orlando Magic against the Detroit Pistons.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns got some much-needed revenge against the Dallas Mavericks in their season-opener. The Suns were subjected to an embarrassing defeat by the Mavericks in the NBA Playoffs earlier this year.
Here’s all the latest news from around the NBA as of Oct. 20, 2022.
Magic rookie Paolo Banchero has biggest debut for a No. 1 draft pick since LeBron James
In his first ever NBA regular-season game, Orlando Magic No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero put up a historic performance.
Banchero finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 113-109 loss against the Detroit Pistons. In doing so, he became just the third No. 1 pick since 1969 to put up at least 25/5/5 in a debut game.
The other two are NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and current LA Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Since 1969, only three No. 1 overall picks have dropped 25+ PTS, 5+ REB, and 5+ AST in their NBA debut.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
LeBron James
Paolo Banchero https://t.co/IFmdWyBUT0
The Magic may not have gotten the win versus the Pistons but fans will certainly be excited after watching Banchero put on a show. Orlando has been in desperate need of a true star since Dwight Howard was traded away back in 2012.
Howard was more of a defensive-oriented star, and the Magic’s last true offensive wing stars were Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady in the early 2000s. If Banchero can keep up his hot start, he has a chance to develop into the Magic’s best offensive player in quite some time.
Banchero wasn’t the only impressive rookie in the game though. The Detroit Pistons' No. 5 pick Jaden Ivey put up 19 points and four assists on 8/15 shooting on his debut. Meanwhile, No. 13 pick Jalen Duren posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pitstons.
Suns get redemption with 22-point comeback win over Mavericks five months after Game 7 humiliation
The Phoenix Suns suffered through an offseason of turmoil. Prior to that, they endured an embarrassing 123-90 home loss in Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs second round versus the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Suns were able to get some redemption on opening night, coming back from a 22-point deficit to stun the Mavs 107-105.
The Mavericks reached their biggest lead of the game early in the third quarter, at which point the game appeared to be over. However, Phoenix then chipped away at the lead, cutting it down to one later in the third. The Mavs then responded with another run, until Phoenix later took the lead in the fourth quarter.
However, Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic ended up tying the game with 32.8 seconds remaining following an and-1. With the Suns searching for a hero, recently acquired role player Damion Lee hit an off-balance game-winning jumper to settle the contest.
Doncic finished with a game-high 35 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists for the Mavericks. Meanwhile, All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker led Phoenix with 28 points and nine assists.
Ben Simmons fouls out in Brooklyn debut as Nets get blown out by Pelicans
Many players had impressive season openers on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Ben Simmons was not one of them as he struggled to make a mark on his debut for the Brooklyn Nets.
In his first official NBA game in 18 months, Simmons fouled out with just four points, five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes. The Nets struggled as a team as well and were blown out 130-108 by a New Orleans Pelicans team filled with youthful exuberance.
Simmons, who is known for his defense, simply couldn't contain the Pelicans' All-Star forward Zion Williamson. Williamson finished with 25 points and nine rebounds on 11/22 shooting in 30 minutes. He was ably supported by Brandon Ingram, who registered a team-high 28 points.
The Pelicans also exposed Simmons' lack of an outside shot by sagging off of him and daring him to shoot the ball. As usual, he refused to do so, only attempting three field goals over the course of the entire game.
Kyrie’s 2-9 and Ben Simmons has only attempted one shot at half, basketball is back
After the game, Simmons spoke about his foul troubles and highlighted that he was maybe a little too eager to return to the court.
“I’ve got to tone it down, I feel like I’m being a little too physical, maybe I’m just excited, my first game. I’m trying to set a tone within our team and be that physical guy,” Simmons said.
The Australian took responsibility for his poor performance and hopes he can improve going forward:
“I understand and accept that responsibility for this team. It’s not going to happen overnight but gradually building towards that. I was just too excited but it was just great to be out there. It was good to get that one out of the way.”
Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash also had some encouraging postgame words for Simmons, noting that the Nets will support him through his struggles. Nash said:
“The guy hasn’t played for over a year. This is a process for Ben. He’s shown glimpses of the player we know he is and can be but it’s not easy. We’re here to support him, we’re here to push him, coach him up and try to get him to a place where he can play at a level he’s played at in the past.”
Brooklyn's next chance to get into the win column will be on Friday in a home game versus the Toronto Raptors.
Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland exits game versus Raptors with left eye injury
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland exited their opening game versus the Toronto Raptors with a left eye injury and did not return. The injury occurred with 3:51 left in the second quarter.
Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. inadvertently poked Garland in the left eye while trying to deflect an incoming pass. The Cavaliers guard immediately fell to the court where he lay for a few minutes before needing assistance to make it into the Cavs' locker room.
Darius Garland eye injury, hope he comes back 2nd half https://t.co/tdmIEzoXgZ
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the game that Garland has a cut on the inside of his eyelid. There is currently no timetable for his return.
“His head and everything was clear, but he was cut and bleeding pretty good from the inside of his eyelid,” Bickerstaff said.
Garland finished with four points, one rebound, and three assists in 13 minutes. The Cleveland Cavaliers felt his absence as they lost 108-105 to the Toronto Raptors.
Grizzlies guard Danny Green joins ESPN in part-time NBA analyst role
NBA veteran sharpshooter Danny Green has reportedly agreed to a TV deal with ESPN to serve as a part-time NBA analyst this season. Green will also continue rehabbing his torn ACL with the Memphis Grizzlies during the course of his deal.
The shooting guard is set to make a total of 15 appearances on ESPN, according to Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal.
News:
Danny Green is joining ESPN in a part-time role, where he’ll give his analysis and opinion on what’s happening in the NBA.
I caught up with Green to discuss the opportunity, how he’ll balance it with rehab, the target on the Grizzlies and more.
commercialappeal.com/story/sports/n…
While speaking to the newspaper about the opportunity, Green touched on how he always wanted to try being an NBA analyst.
“When I’m done playing, it’s something that I always wanted to venture out into. This is an opportunity to build a resume and can get some reps,” he said.
Green is entering his first season with the Grizzlies after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in an offseason trade involving De’Anthony Melton. This season also marks his 14th in the NBA since being drafted 46th in 2009.
Overall, he has had a very successful career, playing key roles on three title-winning teams. Green has averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 39.9% shooting from 3-point land over the course of his career.
For Danny Green's full interview with Memphis Commercial Appeal regarding his new NBA analyst gig, click here.