NBA Roundup: Jerome’s career-high 45 factors leads Grizzlies over Jazz

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ty Jerome scored a career-high 45 factors as Memphis used a third-quarter rally enroute to a victory over Utah.

The recreation featured two of the highest rookies within the present class: Utah picked Darryn Peterson of Kansas No. 2 total proper earlier than Memphis chosen Cam Boozer from Duke. Peterson had 9 factors; Boozer completed 11 rebounds, seven factors and 5 assists however was 2-of-15 capturing, 0 for six from 3-point vary.

Jerome linked on 17 of 25 pictures together with 5 of 10 from 3-point vary. The 45 factors have been essentially the most by a Memphis participant in an season-opener, eclipsing the 44 by Ja Morant in 2020.

Jerami Grant, obtained in an offseason commerce with Portland that despatched Morant to the Trail Blazers, scored 15, Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson scored 12 every.

Keyonte George led the Jazz with 22 factors Lauri Markkanen added 18 factors. Jaren Jackson Jr. made his return to the FedExForum court docket after eight seasons with the Grizzlies and scored 15 factors earlier than fouling out within the fourth. Jackson was traded to Utah eventually February’s deadline.

Jaxson Hayes had a career-high six blocks for Utah.

TIMBERWOLVES 131, HEAT 106

MIAMI — Anthony Edwards hit 9 3-pointers and scored 45 factors to affix an elite membership, LaMelo Ball scored 21 in his Minnesota debut and the Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first recreation with Miami by beating the Heat 131-106 on Wednesday night time.

Edwards, who scored 41 in final season’s opener at Portland, joined solely Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as gamers with no less than 40 factors in a number of openers. Chamberlain did it 4 instances — consecutively from 1959 by means of 1962 — and Jordan did it in 1986, 1989 and 1995.

Jaden McDaniels scored 17, Ayo Dosunmu had 16 and Jonathan Kuminga added 12 for the Timberwolves, who gained for the sixth time of their final eight season openers. Rudy Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds and Edwards had 10 for Minnesota, which outscored Miami 63-24 on 3-pointers and outrebounded the Heat 52-34.

Antetokounmpo scored 35 earlier than fouling out of his Heat debut, 21 of these factors coming within the first half. Bam Adebayo scored 15 for Miami, which has dropped three consecutive season-openers — the third time in franchise historical past that’s occurred.

Antetokounmpo was 13 for 19 from the ground and had six rebounds. It nonetheless wasn’t wherever close to sufficient to maintain the Heat shut within the opener.

Minnesota took command with a six-minute burst that began late within the second quarter and continued early into the third. It wound up as a 23-7 run, one which turned a one-point Timberwolves lead right into a 78-61 edge. Edwards and Ball mixed for 17 factors throughout that spurt, whereas the Heat missed six of 9 pictures and turned the ball over on 4 possessions.

WASHINGTON — Anthony Davis had 34 factors and 12 rebounds in his debut with Washington, and the new-look Wizards beat Milwaukee.

It was the season opener for 2 groups that seem headed in reverse instructions. Washington acquired Davis and Trae Young final season after which drafted AJ Dybantsa No. 1 total. Milwaukee traded away franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo within the offseason.

Still, the Bucks led the Wizards for a lot of this recreation earlier than Washington started to take management early within the fourth.

Dybantsa didn’t play due to an ankle damage, however Davis did sufficient to excite the Washington crowd. The star huge man was injured when the Wizards acquired him and didn’t play for Washington final season.

Fans serenaded Davis with an “MVP” chant earlier than the primary quarter was even over. The temper shifted, nonetheless, because the Wizards missed 18 of their first 22 makes an attempt from 3-point vary and trailed the Bucks effectively into the second half.

A dunk by Deandre Ayton gave the Wizards a 97-96 lead early within the fourth throughout a 21-4 run to take a 111-98 benefit with 7:26 to play.

The Wizards shot 63% from the sphere within the second half, outscoring Milwaukee 77-60.

Young completed with 20 factors and 13 assists.

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 factors in his return to Toronto, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley additionally had 23 apiece and the Raptors routed Chicago.

RJ Barrett added 20 factors and Ja’Kobe Walter had 10 for the Raptors, who by no means trailed.

Leonard shot 5 for 17, together with 2 of 6 from 3-point vary, however went 11 for 11 on the free-throw line. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year had 4 of Toronto’s 15 steals earlier than trying out with 8:12 remaining within the closing quarter.

The Bulls dedicated 27 turnovers, resulting in 35 factors for the Raptors. Chicago rookie Caleb Wilson had 9 turnovers in his NBA debut.

Toronto scored nearly as many factors within the first quarter (43) because the Bulls had within the opening half (44).

Matas Buzelis scored 17 factors for the Bulls and Wilson had 16. Norman Powell and Jaylin Smith every added 15.

NEW YORK — Naz Reid had 20 factors and 11 rebounds in his Charlotte debut, Grayson Allen added 21 factors off the bench and the Hornets beat Brooklyn.

Dennis Schroder scored eight of his 19 factors within the fourth quarter, Brandon Miller had 18 and Moussa Diabate added 17 for the short-handed Hornets.

Charlotte, which was eradicated from the Eastern Conference play-in event final season, was with out starters Coby White (left calf pressure) and capturing guard Kon Knueppel (proper hamstring pressure), who led the NBA final season in 3-pointers made.

The Hornets dealt star level LaMelo Ball to Minnesota after the season within the deal that introduced Reid to Charlotte.

Julius Randle scored 33 factors on 11-for-18 capturing from the sphere in his debut for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. shot 10 for 21 from area to complete with 26 factors.

None of Brooklyn’s different three starters scored in double figures. The Nets, celebrating their sixtieth season, wore white uniforms with pink and blue in a nod to their ABA days.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Nickeil Alexander-Walker punctuated a 31-point night time with a pair of 3-pointers, Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson every completed with 20 factors, and Atlanta beat Orlando.

Paolo Banchero had 35 factors and 10 assists for the Magic, who’ve misplaced six straight the Hawks. Atlanta additionally spoiled coach Sean Sweeney’s debut with Orlando.

Alexander-Walker hit a 3 earlier than flashing a hush gesture to the Kia Center crowd after which drained a 25-footer that gave Atlanta a 128-123 lead with 51 seconds left.

Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. every had 22 factors for Orlando.

Johnson appeared to foul out with 4:27 remaining when officers referred to as him for an offensive foul after an elbow to the face of Desmond Bane. However, Atlanta coach Quin Snyder efficiently challenged the decision with replay displaying Bane committing the primary unlawful contact. Leading 120-117 on the time, the Hawks by no means trailed over the steadiness of the sport.

C.J. McCollum scored 19 factors and Aaron Wiggins added 16 for Atlanta.

NEW ORLEANS — Pascal Siakam scored 30 factors, together with 18 within the closing quarter, Tyrese Haliburton added 23 in his first regular-season recreation since rupturing his proper Achilles tendon 16 months in the past and Indiana beat New Orleans.

With Indiana trailing 92-86 getting into the fourth, Haliburton took cost within the fourth quarter, scoring eight of Indiana’s 10 factors in a 90-second span to erase a 101-93 Pelicans lead. The Pacers outscored New Orleans 15-3 to take a 108-104 edge.

Zion Williamson, who had 22 factors, tied the sport at 116 on a driving layup and foul shot, however Haliburton scored on energy strikes on the following two journeys down the court docket, and Indiana took a 121-118 lead and closed out the sport with a pair of free throws by Quenton Jackson.

Obi Toppin added 20 factors for Indiana, and Ivica Zubac added 16 factors and 14 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard scored 18 factors.

Dejounte Murray scored 23 factors for the Pelicans, and Yves Missi had 13 factors and 14 rebounds.

ROCKETS 128, MAVERICKS 110

HOUSTON — Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 factors apiece and Houston used an enormous second quarter to construct an enormous lead and coast to a win over Dallas.

The Rockets led by six after the primary quarter earlier than outscoring Dallas 38-12 within the second to take a 32-point lead into halftime.

Durant and Smith every scored 16 factors every within the first half. The Rockets have been up by 15 halfway by means of the second earlier than utilizing a 19-2 run to make it 70-38 at halftime.

Kyrie Irving had 15 factors for Dallas in his first regular-season recreation since tearing his left ACL in March 2025. But it was a troublesome debut for Dallas coach Dusty May, who led Michigan to the NCAA championship earlier than being employed to interchange the fired Jason Kidd.

Cooper Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 choose and final season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, led the Mavericks with 32 factors. P.J. Washington had 10 factors and 4 rebounds.