The 2020-21 NBA season opened up with quite the doubleheader.
First, Kevin Durant makes his Brooklyn Nets debut as they host his former team in the Golden State Warriors. That game ended in a blowout with the Nets cruising to a 125-99 blowout victory.
What followed that was, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers receiving their championship rings but their title defence didn’t begin on the right foot as Paul George and the Clippers played spoiler.
LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Final: Clippers 116, Lakers 109
Paul George finished with a game-high tally of 33 points, 26 of which came in the second half including a personal 10-2 run to cap off the third quarter.
Along with Leonard, who had 26 points, the Clippers duo became the third in franchise history to score at least 25 points in a season opener.
“I’m just in a good headspace and a good physical space,” George said to the NBA on TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ panel postgame.
PG (33 PTS & 5 3PM) was lights out in the Clippers’ Opening Night win! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ULADvrQ2nu
– NBA TV (@NBATV) December 23, 2020
Four other Clippers finished in double figures, including free-agent signing Serge Ibaka, who finished with 15 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, for the Lakers, five players finished in double figures but they could never make a game-threatening run after the Clippers ran away with it late in the third quarter.
LeBron James (22) and Anthony Davis (18) combined for 40 points but Dennis Schroder – the team’s starting point guard – was the box score stuffer with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in 28 minutes of court time.
End of third quarter: Clippers 89, Lakers 78
Paul George goes on a personal 10-2 run to end the third quarter, giving the Clippers a double-digit lead heading into the final period.
Gettin’ hot. 🔥@Yg_Trece closes out the third with 10 straight points. pic.twitter.com/tahTQfPoMB
– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 23, 2020
Prior to that spark, both teams to have found some sort of rhythm earlier in the quarter.
Bron & AD heating up in the 3Q 🔥
Watch in the B/R app and on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/ncO5KiKp6J
– Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) December 23, 2020
Halftime: Clippers 56, Lakers 54
The Clippers lead is gone, well nearly. The defending champions bounce back into the game with a huge second quarter, capping it off with a 11-3 run – of which LeBron scored seven.
LeBron throws it DOWN HARD! 😤#KiaTipOff20 on TNT pic.twitter.com/BDdFvkynZW
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
AD ➡️ LBJ ➡️ KCP on the @Lakers fast break! 💥#KiaTipOff20 on TNT pic.twitter.com/iaA0hplehq
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
LeBron and AD are the Lakers’ leading scorers at the half with 10 points apiece while Leonard leads the way for the Clippers with 13.
Kawhi (13 PTS) & AD (10 PTS) pace the 1st half scoring in LA! #KiaTipOff20
📺: TNT pic.twitter.com/Rzi223ZQNK
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
End of first quarter: Clippers 39, Lakers 19
A late 15-2 first-quarter run, helps the visitors hold a huge 20-point lead at the first 12 minutes. Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka lead the scoring charts, combining for 16 points with eight apiece.
Kawhi picks it off and finds Lou Will for 3!@LAClippers 29@Lakers 15#KiaTipOff20 on TNT pic.twitter.com/g3kEMUBmMI
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
Instant impact.
8 early points for @sergeibaka. pic.twitter.com/0WmWCcoUsT
– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 23, 2020
Pregame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5eyRBTnNI
The Lakers will wait until fans are permitted inside of Staples Center to hang their 2019-20 championship banner in the rafters.
Banner No. 17 is waiting for our fans to come home. #LakersFamily pic.twitter.com/sVtlQ8pGno
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 23, 2020
The champs arrive.
The 2020 NBA champion @Lakers arrive for tonight’s 💍 night ceremony & season opener vs. LAC (9:30pm/et on TNT)! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/PjFMKzmi4P
– NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2020
Here’s a look at the Lakers’ spectacular rings:
From start to finish. There’s nothing like a championship ring. pic.twitter.com/sHylEun1EM
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 23, 2020
And here are the minor details on the Lakers’ rings (courtesy Lakers.com ):
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Final: Nets 125, Warriors 99
Game 1 of opening night ends in a blowout. Their All-Star duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant led from the front combining for 48 points, including 27 in the first quarter itself.
KD returns and makes his Nets debut 👏
Kevin Durant drops 22 PTS in 3 quarters of action as the @BrooklynNets top GSW top open the season! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/kwCUOWN1SP
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
Caris LeVert finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in just 25 minutes as the Nets won their first season opener since 2012 .
For the Warriors, without Draymond Green, Stephen Curry finished with the best numbers – 20 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, rookie James Wiseman finished with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field in 24 minutes.
James Wiseman scores from all over the floor 🏀#NBARooks x #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/rnLmtgInz9
– NBA Draft (@NBADraft) December 23, 2020
End of third quarter: Nets 99, Warriors 71
The hosts run off to a hot start and eventually outscore the Warriors 36-26 in the third quarter, to extend their dominating lead.
KEVIN. DURANT. pic.twitter.com/FL7dCSwig1
– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 23, 2020
KD throws a BIG OOP for @DeAndre 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/Poz1DZkUop
– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 23, 2020
Halftime: Nets 63, Warriors 45
24 points in the first half for Kyrie Irving, 18-point lead for the Brooklyn Nets.
Kyrie was feeling it in the 1st half, pouring in 24 PTS for the @BrooklynNets! #KiaTipOff20
📺: TNT pic.twitter.com/dHfzcYPfEc
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
End of First Quarter: Nets 40, Warriors 25
Kelly Oubre Jr. is already looking like a great pick up for the Warriors.
😱 KELLY OUBRE JR! 😱#KiaTipOff20 on TNT pic.twitter.com/X68J1geIHi
– NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
Kevin Durant sinks his first of many triples as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. He’s back.
Welcome back, KD 👏 pic.twitter.com/oEAV6SLwox
– NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 23, 2020
The first career bucket for James Wiseman. An unforgettable moment for the rookie.
First NBA bucket for @BigTicket_JW ✔️
📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/UCmVvLnIdc
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 23, 2020
Pregame
Two guys that won two titles together. Opponents once again.
KD x STEPH 🤝
Former NBA champion teammates catch up before @warriors and @BrooklynNets tip-off the NBA season at 7:00 PM ET on TNT! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/DqeJbGGAlG
– NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2020
The No. 2 overall pick is set to take the floor for the first time.
Rook is ready for his debut.@BigTicket_JW || #DubNation pic.twitter.com/vhFGqDI2Jc
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 22, 2020
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