Edwards Scores 45 as Timberwolves Rout Heat on Giannis Antetokounmpo's Debut, and Pistons Rally From 22 Down

In New York, Philadelphia won 106-100 on the night the Knicks raised their championship banner, in the first games for LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in 76ers colours; Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28, Yahoo Sports reported. Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 116-104, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 32 to extend his record run of consecutive 20-point games to 141, while Victor Wembanyama shot 1 of 13.

Who returned or made a debut on Wednesday?

Tyrese Haliburton came back from a torn Achilles after 486 days and finished with 23 points and 12 assists as Indiana held on to beat New Orleans 123-120. Anthony Davis scored 34 with 12 rebounds in his Washington debut in a 128-116 win over Milwaukee, with Trae Young adding 20 points and 13 assists. Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto and the Raptors routed Chicago 135-92, and Kyrie Irving played for Dallas for the first time since November 2025. Houston won that game 128-110, though Cooper Flagg scored 32 for the Mavericks.

In Los Angeles, the Lakers opened their first season without LeBron James with a 127-105 win over Golden State, led by 28 points from Luka Doncic, who also hit a half-court buzzer-beater. Memphis's Ty Jerome scored a career-high 45 in a 123-103 win over Utah.

What should fans watch next?

Not every star's night went to plan. Jayson Tatum shot 6 of 23 for Boston, and Wembanyama, despite his 1-of-13 shooting, still finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. In Portland, a basket by Damian Lillard took him to 19,379 points for the Trail Blazers, the most in franchise history, as they beat Phoenix 124-83.

The Heat's problem is clear after one night: a star can score 35 and still lose by 25. Minnesota, with Edwards and Ball together, look the more complete side. The rest of the first week will show whether Detroit's rally and Philadelphia's new core are early signals or noise, and how quickly Haliburton rebuilds his minutes.