Catch up on all the action from around the league in our NBA Daily Roundup, covering key plays, standout performances, and final scores from every game on October 24.
On October 24, NBA fans were treated to an exciting slate of matchups. The Boston Celtics took on the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs renewed their Texas rivalry in a highly anticipated showdown.
The evening continued with the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Denver Nuggets in a battle between two promising Western Conference contenders. In another key matchup, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced off against the Sacramento Kings.
The Boston Celtics cruised to a 122-102 victory over the Washington Wizards, with Jaylen Brown leading the scoring effort with 27 points and Jayson Tatum contributing a double-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Boston controlled the game from the second quarter onward, extending their lead to as much as 32 points in the second half. Their three-point shooting remained strong, as the Celtics hit 17-of-45 from beyond the arc following their NBA-record 29 three-pointers in the season opener.
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White provided additional firepower for Boston, with Pritchard scoring 15 points on five threes and White adding 19 points, including four triples. On the Wizards’ side, Jordan Poole led his team with 26 points, scoring 17 in the opening quarter alone to give Washington an early spark.
Rookie Alex Sarr, selected second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, had an underwhelming debut with two points and five rebounds on 1-7 shooting.
Boston’s defensive intensity limited Washington to 7-of-36 from three-point range, and the Celtics’ dominance was especially clear in the third quarter. They outscored the Wizards 34-19 in that period to lead 98-73 going into the fourth.
Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in their season opener, posting an impressive 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Klay Thompson made a strong debut for Dallas, adding 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds, contributing on both ends of the floor for the defending Western Conference champions.
Kyrie Irving also supported the offense with 15 points, as the Mavericks displayed their depth and versatility.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, entering his second NBA season, struggled to find his shooting rhythm, hitting just 5-of-18 from the field but still managing 17 points. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie provided solid scoring support with 18 points each, though their contributions were not enough to overcome Dallas’s offensive firepower.
The Mavericks gained momentum in the second half, building a steady lead with Doncic orchestrating the offense and Thompson efficiently filling his role. Dallas’s balanced attack allowed them to control the game’s pace and secure a comfortable win in their season opener, setting an encouraging tone for their 2024-25 campaign.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 28 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their season with a decisive win over the Denver Nuggets. Rookie standout Chet Holmgren delivered a stellar all-around performance, scoring 25 points and matching his career-high 14 rebounds while adding five assists and four blocks.
Holmgren’s two-way impact proved challenging for Denver, who struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 7-of-39 on three-pointers. Denver’s reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, finished with a triple-double of 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. Jamal Murray managed 12 points but struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 4-of-14 from the field, while Aaron Gordon, fresh off a new contract, chipped in with 12 points.
This early season divisional matchup underscored the intensity of competition between these two Western Conference powerhouses, who both finished 57-25 last season, with the Thunder securing the top seed via tiebreaker.
Read More: NBA’s Top 10 Plays of the Night October 24 Edition
In a tight finish, Anthony Edwards sank two free throws with just 2.4 seconds left, lifting the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 117-115 win over the Sacramento Kings in their home opener. Edwards, who was fouled by Domantas Sabonis on a decisive drive, scored a total of 32 points to lead Minnesota to victory.
Julius Randle, recently acquired by Minnesota in a trade from New York, added 33 points in his second game with the team, providing a significant offensive boost. Keegan Murray’s last-second 3-point attempt for the Kings rimmed out, securing the win for the Timberwolves in a closely contested battle.
For Sacramento, DeMar DeRozan led the scoring with 26 points in his Kings debut after a summer sign-and-trade deal from Chicago, while Sabonis contributed 24 points, and Murray chipped in 23.
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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