All 30 NBA teams are in action across a massive 15-game day, with plenty of blockbuster matchups and battles between some of the league’s biggest stars.
Josh Giddey put together an improved performance for the Chicago Bulls, but it wasn’t enough to stop another defeat, whilst LeBron James stole the headlines with a bizarre moment involving a fan’s drink.
Meanwhile, the injury-ravaged Indiana Pacers were forced to take on the Atlanta Hawks with just six available players, producing scenes rarely seen in the NBA.
We’ve got everything covered in your NBA Wrap below.
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LEBRON’S BIZARRE FAN MOMENT AS GIDDEY IMPRESSES DESPITE BULLS LOSS
Josh Giddey put together a much more positive performance for the Chicago Bulls, despite their loss at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Aussie guard finished with 13 points, ten assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
Shooting has been a concern for Giddey to start the season, but he was able to connect on 29 per cent of his three-point attempts, whilst shooting 33.3 per cent from the field.
His teammate and rookie Caleb Wilson continued his impressive start to the season, finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, whilst shooting 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc.
But even with Giddey and Wilson’s performances, the Bulls were simply no match for the 76ers, with Chicago falling to 1-6 on the season.
For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey once again led the way with 26 points, 11 assists and four rebounds, whilst Jaylen Brown added 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
The 76ers also welcomed back Joel Embiid and LeBron James, with both stars making an immediate impact.
Embiid finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists, whilst James added 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The 41-year-old James showed flashes of his very best with a two-handed slam in transition, but also had a moment to forget late in the contest when he missed an alley-oop attempt following a lob from Brown.
However, it was his antics off the court that stole the headlines.
James went running into the crowd whilst attempting to retrieve the ball, ending up in the stands alongside a handful of fans.
He then grabbed one fan’s drink and appeared to take a sip before making his way back onto the court and returning to the action.
James addressed the bizarre moment after the game, revealing he had accidentally spilled the fan’s wine before deciding to have a taste himself.
“I spilled some of his wine. I crashed into him, spilled some of his wine,” James said.
“So I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was. It was all right.”
The 76ers have now won seven of their opening eight games to start the season, whilst the struggling Bulls have gone the other way, losing six of their first seven.
SIX-MAN PACERS FALL SHORT AS INJURY CRISIS REACHES NEW LOW
The Indiana Pacers were left with just six available players for their clash against the Atlanta Hawks, following their horror run with injuries to start the season.
There were incredible scenes before the game, with just six Pacers players taking part in the layup line, something you rarely see on an NBA court.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, it was the earliest point in a season that a team had been forced to play with six or fewer players since 1948.
Without Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Ivica Zubac, Obi Toppin and Kelly Oubre Jr, who was ruled out just before the game, the Pacers were forced to turn to their remaining players to take on the Hawks.
Despite their injury concerns, Indiana put up an impressive fight before eventually falling 108-104, with all six players reaching double figures.
Jay Huff led the way for the Pacers with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists, whilst Quenton Jackson added 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was full of praise for his depleted side following the game, admitting he was incredibly proud of the fight they showed despite their injury struggles.
“What those guys did tonight was inspirational. For another thing, it illustrates the power of hard, unselfish play,” Carlisle said.
For the Hawks, Aussie Dyson Daniels contributed six points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals, whilst Nickeil Alexander-Walker starred with 34 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
The victory sees Atlanta improve to 4-4 on the season, whilst the injury-ravaged Pacers fall to 2-6 as they desperately look to get some bodies back on the court in the coming days.
NO STARS, NO PROBLEMS AS SGA LEADS THUNDER TO VICTORY
No Jalen Williams, no Chet Holmgren, no Alex Caruso, no Cason Wallace, no problems for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Led by the back-to-back NBA MVP, the Thunder were able to overcome their injury concerns to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 in Cleveland.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for Oklahoma City with 43 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The Thunder superstar put up a massive 35 shots, connecting on 40 per cent of his attempts from the field, whilst hitting 11 of his 12 free throws.
Third-year guard Ajay Mitchell stepped up alongside SGA with 20 points and five rebounds, whilst Isaiah Hartenstein impressed with five points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
For the Cavaliers, it was more of a team effort, with seven players reaching double figures.
Donovan Mitchell led the way with 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, whilst James Harden finished with 14 points, six assists and four rebounds.
The Thunder now improve to 5-2 despite their injury struggles to start the season, whilst the Cavaliers fall to 4-3.
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OTHER RESULTS FROM AROUND THE NBA
BALL STARS AS TIMBERWOLVES TAKE DOWN STRUGGLING BUCKS
LaMelo Ball has led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 112-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, stepping up in the absence of injured superstar Anthony Edwards.
With Edwards sidelined for a couple of months due to a knee injury, Ball took control of the offence, finishing with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Timberwolves proved too strong for Milwaukee, with Ayo Dosunmu adding 19 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in an impressive all-round performance.
Rudy Gobert also contributed a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds, whilst Jonathan Kuminga finished with eight points and ten rebounds.
The victory sees Minnesota improve to 4-3 on the season, whilst the struggling Bucks fall to 1-5 as they continue to find their feet in a new era.
KINGS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH AS SABONIS CONCERNS CONTINUE
The Sacramento Kings have finally broken through for their first win of the season, despite growing concerns surrounding the future of Domantas Sabonis.
Rookie Darius Acuff Jr was once again impressive, leading the way with 25 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The young guard took 21 field goal attempts, converting at 47.6 per cent from the field, but whilst Acuff continued to shine, questions surrounding Sabonis may only intensify.
The big man attempted just four shots throughout the contest, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists amid speculation surrounding his future in Sacramento.
For the Mavericks, Cooper Flagg was unable to get his side over the line, finishing with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds.
However, his six turnovers proved costly, with Dallas also missing star guard Kyrie Irving.
The victory sees Sacramento improve to 1-6 on the season, whilst the Mavericks fall to 4-3.
PELICANS HAND GRIZZLIES FIRST LOSS OF SEASON IN OVERTIME THRILLER
The Memphis Grizzlies have suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans in an overtime thriller.
Zion Williamson was impressive for New Orleans, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as the Pelicans secured an important victory.
For the Grizzlies, Ty Jerome continued his outstanding start to the season with 40 points, five rebounds and five assists, but his efforts weren’t enough to get Memphis over the line.
Cameron Boozer also continued his strong start to the campaign, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The victory sees the Pelicans improve to 3-4 on the season, whilst Memphis falls to 6-1 after suffering its first defeat of the campaign.