Well that didn't last long. After struggling from the field during the first three games of the season, James Harden led the Rockets to a big 110-105 win against the Thunder on Monday.
Talk of Harden's demise was largely over-exaggerated, but last season's MVP hopeful did enter the game shooting just 22 percent from the field.
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But Harden made amends for his poor play by scoring 37 points on 12 of 26 shooting. The field-goal percentage still needs to improve, but Harden made all the necessary plays to win.
The Rockets (1-3) were also helped by newly acquired point guard Ty Lawson. Lawson notched his first double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points and 11 assists.
Kevin Durant led the Thunder (3-1) with 29 points and Russell Westbrook added 25 points and 11 assists.
Here's more from Monday's action around the league:
The Warriors continue to look unbeatable:
We want to start by saying the Grizzlies are not a bad team. However, they ran into a buzzsaw Monday when the Warriors demolished them 119-69. Stephen Curry led the way with 30 points on 10 of 16 shooting. He scored 21 points in the third quarter, which is good for his third 20-plus quarter of the season. The Warriors (4-0) have been absolutely unstoppable through the first four games. They've scored more than 110 points in every game and their closest decision was a 134-120 drubbing of the Pelicans. A repeat is looking quite possible at this point, but it is a long season.
Tweets of the night:
James Harden with the silky step-back:
Step-back. Who better than the beard? #NBAVine https://t.co/0Df9viMjqt
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2015Kevin Garnett doesn't need two shoes:
No shoe? No problem! KD gets the floater to fall on @NBATV #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/ROxa8mxtf6
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2015Stud of the night:
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard expected to get a lot of looks this season after Portland lost its other four starters during the offseason, and he didn't disappoint Monday. Lillard scored 37 points on 14 of 27 shooting with seven assists and two steals, leading the Blazers to a 106-101 win against the Timberwolves.
Dud of the night:
Resisting the urge to mention the entire Grizzlies starting lineup, Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony stood out as Monday night's disappointment. Fresh off a 37-point outburst in a win against the Wizards on Saturday, Anthony scored just 19 points on 4 of 17 shooting in a 94-84 loss to the Spurs.
What's Next: (All times Eastern)
Pacers (0-3) at Pistons (3-0), 7:30 p.m. — Pistons center Andre Drummond, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, looks like a star in the making. Free-agent signing Marcus Morris is playing well and point guard Reggie Jackson has changed the dynamic of a once-sluggish offense. This will be an intense Midwest rivalry game.
Hawks (3-1) at Heat (2-1), 7:30 p.m. — The Hawks have been one of the surprise teams in the league after losing DeMarre Carroll in free agency and failing to replace him. The Heat, led by Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, have looked strong on both ends of the court.