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NBA Season 2017 – 2018 Opening: Fast Facts

Here’s the lowdown on this year’s first official week of NBA

NBA 2017 – 2018 has officially begun and while we’re barely a week into the games, there is already so much to talk about. The first few games have already made their mark on this season’s landscape and while we don’t know how it will continue to reshape, we know it’s going to be an exciting ride for fans of even the die-hard and casual varieties.

The season-opener injuries

Five minutes into the opening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gordon Hayward was injured in what has the potential to be one of the most heartbreaking moments of the season. He dislocated his left ankle after a fall during an offensive play.

Hayward’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, has already told ESPN that the player is unlikely to return this season. He had to undergo surgery to repair the dislocated left ankle and a fractured tibia. Despite the seriousness of the injury, however, Hayward is expected to return to the game after proper rehabilitation and specialty training.

Of course, we can’t talk injury without paying mention to Jeremy Lin as well. Lin was diagnosed with a ruptured patellar tendon of the right knee and is also expected to miss majority—if not all—of NBA Season 2017–2018.

Lin awkwardly landed during a drive to the basket during the fourth quarter of the Brooklyn Nets’ loss to the Indiana Pacers. He scored a total of 18 points.

Familiar faces, new places

The Off Season gave the NBA world shock after shock as big names were traded around some of the most popular teams. Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler and Jamal Crawford teamed up for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George are together with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City Thunders. Then, of course, there is Kyrie Irving’s new challenge as Gordon Hayward has been injured out.

It’s also interesting to see how Chris Paul will make plays for James Harden as Harden plays out a new role for the Houston Rockets. Then there are Dwayne Wade, Derick Rose and LeBron James, who are the three big names that the Bulls want to get their hands on, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have attained.

Day 1

When the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Boston Celtics, we had first row seats to the battle that could have shown us exactly when Kyrie had a change of heart. Then in the showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets, hearts broke all over the world as Kevin Durant’s jump shot was a millisecond too late to beat the buzzer and win the game.

Day 2

There is no doubt that John Wall dominated in the game between the Philadelphia Sixers vs. the Washington Wizards. The Sixers definitely look like they have their eye on the Playoffs.

And when the Milwaukee Bucks went up against the Boston Celtics, we saw Giannis Antetokounmpo score more than thirty points. Now we’ll see how the Celtics rebuild with Hayward no longer able to play. We then saw the largest first game victory margin when the Phoenix Suns battled it on court with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Day 3

When the New York Knicks ran the court against the Oklahoma Thunders, Carmelo Anthony battled against his old teammate, Kristaps Porziņģis. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook scored the first triple double for the opening season. And the Clippers versus the Lakers game had possible Rookie of the Year awardees Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma debut on the professional season.

Rookies makes their NBA debut

Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum and other rookies show off their skills. Check out their highlights below:

It’s going to be an interesting season and we know you won’t want to miss out on anything. Stay close and up-to-date with the NBA App (available on iOS and Android) and NBA League Pass.

Source NBA and ESPN

Adie Pieraz

grew up with numbers but fell in love with words by the time she reached her teenage years. She likes to surround herself with mellow music, delicious food and funny fail videos.