NBA scores, stats, and highlights from Thursday's busy 12-game slate

NBA.com Staff

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NBA scores, stats, and highlights from Thursday's busy 12-game slate image

With 12 games and 24 teams in action, it's safe to say the 2020-21 NBA season really got underway with its first full slate.

Jayson Tatum and Buddy Hield stole the headlines as they buried game-winning shots, while the 76ers and Pelicans, under new head coaches Stan Van Gundy and Doc Rivers got their seasons off to winning starts 

On a night full of action, we've got you covered below with scores, news, highlights, and the best fantasy performers of the night.

Cleveland Cavaliers 121, Charlotte Hornets 114

BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

Seven Cavs players scored in double figures led by 25 from Collin Sexton as the Cavs get their season off to a winning start. 

Terry Rozier had the hot hand for the Hornets, scoring 42 points on 10-of1-6 from the 3-point line, while Gordon Hayward added 28 points. 

Indiana Pacers 121, New York Knicks 107

BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Indiana Pacers outscore the Knicks 60-41 in the second half to win the season opener. They were powered by Domantas Sabonis' huge all-round performance, Myles Turner's career-high of eight blocks, and a combined 42 points and 12 assists from their starting backcourt of Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon. 

Behind RJ Barrett's perfect first half, the Knicks held the 66-61 halftime lead but couldn't carry that momentum. Barrett finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while Julius Randle recorded with 17-9-9. 


Orlando Magic 113, Miami Heat 107

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

A complete team effort by the Magic helps them beat their state rivals in the Miami Heat. 

Fournier leads the scoring charts from both teams with 25 on 9-of-13 shooting. Aaron Gordon scores 20 on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Off the bench, Terrence Ross scores 19 points while rookie Cole Anthony finished with six points and six assists in 19 minutes of court time. 

For the Heat, Bam Adebayo records a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds while Jimmy Butler records a career-high seven steals along with 19 points and seven assists but all of it wasn't enough.

Philadelphia 76ers 113, Washington Wizards 107

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

In this star-studded contest, the 76ers came out on top. Six players scored in double figures led by big games by their All-Stars in Joel Embiid (29 points, 14 rebounds) and Ben Simmons (16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three blocks, two steals).

Westbrook did Westbrook things, and finished with a 21-11-15 triple-double while Bradley Beal finished with a game-high 31 points. They were the only two players on the team to finish with more than 14 points.

Boston Celtics 122, Milwaukee Bucks 121

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

Two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo misses a game-tying free-throw, making Jayson Tatum's banked 3-pointer the game-winner.

New Orleans Pelicans 113, Toronto Raptors 99

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

Brandon Ingram, the reigning Most Improved Player just continues to improve, finishing with 24 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in the opening-night win.

Atlanta Hawks 124, Chicago Bulls 104

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

Trae Young doing what Trae Young does best! He finished with 37 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Hawks opened the season with a win.


San Antonio Spurs 131, Memphis Grizzlies 119

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

Last year's Rookie of the Year Ja Morant finished with 44 points and nine assists but it was a near triple-double from DeMar DeRozan (28 points, nine rebounds, nine assists) that led to the win.

Minnesota Timberwolves 111, Detroit Pistons 101

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

First of many NBA buckets for No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards. He finished with 15 points, while 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the win.

Sacramento Kings 124, Denver Nuggets 122 [OT]

BOX SCORE  |  PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Kings escaped in an overtime thriller thanks to Buddy Hield's putback at the buzzer to get their season off to a winning start. 

Hield led six Kings players to score in double figures with 22 points, while De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes added 21 apiece.


NIkola Jokic stuffed the stat sheet for the Nuggets, pouring in a monster triple-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists.

Utah Jazz 120, Portland Trail Blazers 100

BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

Fresh off inking a $205 million max extension, Rudy Gobert dominated in the Jazz's season opener, recording 20 points and 17 rebounds. 

Damian Lillard managed just nine points and was held scoreless in the first half — the first time he's been held scoreless in a half in six seasons. 

Phoenix Suns 106, Dallas Mavericks 102

BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

Devin Booker picked up right where he left off in the bubble, coming up clutch for the Suns. He buried the pull-up jumper with 40.6 seconds to go to put the Suns up 105-100 to seal the W. 

He finished with 22 points to lead six Suns players to score in double figures. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets – Postponed

Fantasy lines of the night

Ja Morant –  44 PTS ( 18-27 FG, 1-2 3PT, 7-8 FT), 9 AST, 2 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK

Brandon Ingram –  24 PTS (10-19 FG, 3-6 3PT, 1-2 FT), 11 AST, 9 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK

DeMar DeRozan –  28 PTS (7-14 FG, 14-15 FT), 9 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK

Terry Rozier –  42 PTS (15-23 FG, 10-16 3PT, 2-4 FT), 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK

Domantas Sabonis –  32 PTS (11-18 FG, 2-4 3PT, 8-12 FT), 13 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL

Karl-Anthony Towns –  22 PTS (6-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 8-8 FT) 11 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK, 1 STL 

Nikola Jokic –  21 PTS (11-18 FG, 1-2 3PT, 6-9 FT), 15 REB, 14 AST, 3 BLK 

Luka Doncic –  32 PTS (11-26 FG, 0-6 3PT, 10-12 FT), 8 REB, 5 AST 

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NBA.com Staff

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