Anthony Davis made an explosive debut for the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the floor. The star big man recorded 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in a commanding performance against the Houston Rockets.
However, his stellar night was cut short after suffering an injury late in the third quarter. Despite his absence in the final stretch, the Mavericks held strong to secure a 116-105 victory over their in-state rivals.
Max Christie, who was also part of the Lakers-Mavericks trade, made an impressive impact in his first game with Dallas, dropping 23 points and proving to be a valuable asset alongside Davis.
On the other side, first-time All-Star Alperen Sengun continued his stellar season for the Rockets, leading all scorers with 30 points.
Young stars Amen Thompson and Jalen Green contributed 20 and 24 points, respectively, but their efforts fell short.
Reaves' career night powers lakers past pacers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers, playing without both LeBron James and newly acquired Luka Dončić, pulled off an impressive 124-117 win over the Indiana Pacers. Austin Reaves delivered the best performance of his career, erupting for 45 points to lead the shorthanded Lakers to victory.
Dončić, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade, has yet to make his debut for the Lakers as he continues to recover from a calf strain. His return is eagerly anticipated, as L.A. looks to integrate the superstar into their system alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis.