A busy offseason of superstar movement means a number of highly-anticipated debuts to open the 2019-20 regular season.
While we saw Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard don their new threads on the first night of the NBA season, night two of NBA action saw even more notable stars take the floor for their new teams.
MORE: How Davis, Leonard fared in their debuts
They didn't disappoint.
Here's more on who did what, and how their new teams fared:
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
Timberwolves 127, Nets 126 (OT)
Stat line: 50 points (17-33 FG, 7-14 3FG), 8 rebounds, 7 assists
Kyrie made his presence felt early and often in his debut as a Net.
The six-time All-Star opened with 12 points in the first quarter and didn't slow down, although Brooklyn trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before entering the break down 12 points. Irving scored 25 points (on 9-for-15 shooting) through the first two quarters.
He and Taurean Prince would lead a second-half rally in which the Nets outscored the Wolves 59-47 to force an extra period.
Irving entered overtime with 43 points after knocking down clutch bucket after clutch bucket towards the end of regulation.
In the extra frame, Irving brought his total to 50 points but it ultimately wasn't enough as he couldn't get the potential game-winner to go as time expired after an unorthodox sequence resulted in him getting a clean look at the basket.
It was a historic performance from Irving, who became just the seventh Net to score 50 or more points in a game and set the record for the highest-scoring output in a debut for a new team.
Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks 108, Wizards 100
Stat line: 23 points (7-16 FG, 3-7 3FG), 4 rebounds, 1 block
In his first regular-season action since February 2018, the Mavericks' newest big man showed plenty for fans to be excited about.
He opened with a smooth first bucket:
KP's on the board!#MFFL | #Lexus pic.twitter.com/Y2GnotBuRT
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 24, 2019
And ended his performance with an exclamation point:
KP from way, WAY downtown! pic.twitter.com/iW14HzMvVC
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 24, 2019
Considering the fact that he has not played in over 600 days, it's logical to believe this is only the beginning for Porzingis, who stands to form a bright young duo alongside burgeoning superstar Luka Doncic.
If opening night is any indicator, these two could be even better than advertised.
Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers
76ers 107, Celtics 93
Stat line: 16 points (5-13 FG), 3 assists
Horford began his time as a member of the Sixers by taking the floor against his former team in a rivalry game.
In true Al Horford fashion, his impact on the game extended far beyond the stat sheet, and he still was the team's second-leading scorer with 16 points in just over 31 minutes of action.
Horford stands to serve as a steadying force for Philly and his presence was clearly felt by Boston, who was punished on the boards in this one. The 13-year-veteran will prove his value on and off the floor throughout the season as the Sixers look to emerge as a legitimate title contender.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jazz 100, Thunder 95
Stat line: 26 points (10-23 FG, 3-7 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Similar to what we saw in preseason, it appears that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will assume the role as the Thunder's go-to guy in taking a team-high 23 shot attempts in his OKC debut. Gilgeous-Alexander's career-high 26 points came in a variety of different ways as the second-year guard did what he could to keep the Thunder alive in this one. The most impressive part of his game was the explosiveness he flashed when attacking the hoop, challenging any player that met him at the rim, even if it was reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
S G A to the R I M. pic.twitter.com/oPtH3vK16F
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 24, 2019
The Thunder took the loss, but it's encouraging to see this team and their new franchise cornerstone in Gilgeous-Alexander compete on the road against a tough Utah Jazz team that many feel have what it takes to win the NBA title this season.
Julius Randle, New York Knicks
Spurs 120, Knicks 111
Stat line: 25 points (10-18 FG), 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
This offseason, Randle wound up being the big fish that New York brought in via free agency.
In his debut, the six-year veteran looked to be well worth the three-year $63 million contract he signed this offseason.
Randle imposed his will, scoring an efficient 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals in just over 35 minutes of game time. After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, the Knicks staged a rally to lead by as many as six points in the final frame.
Ultimately, the Spurs were too much for the young Knicks team but Randle's performance looks to be a sign of things to come for a team that should cause problems for many of its opponents this season.
Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Magic 94, Cavaliers 85
Stat line: 12 points (6-12 FG), 6 assists, 2 steals
It's a new beginning for former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, who is finding his footing after a change of scenery.
Fultz, 21, saw nearly 24 minutes in a reserve role and made his presence felt in multiple facets of the game, scoring 12 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing two steals in his first game action in nearly a year.
CLEAR THE RUNWAY FOR @MARKELLEF 😤 pic.twitter.com/ee3dGYO6q9
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 24, 2019
Orlando looks to build upon its success from last year and a solid season from Fultz could propel the Magic up a few spots in a fluid Eastern Conference playoff picture.
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