The Blazers Opened With a Statement — Lillard and Morant Made the Suns Look Overmatched
Portland’s season started with a demolition of the Suns. The Trail Blazers controlled the game from the jump, built a massive lead early, and never let Phoenix back in. Damian Lillard and Ja Morant shared the floor in the starting backcourt for the first time in a real game, and the result was exactly what the building wanted to see: pace, scoring, and a team that looked connected on opening night. Lillard, back after missing all of last season with an Achilles tear and back in a Blazers jersey for the first time since 2022-23, attacked from deep and finished with a big scoring night. Morant, acquired in the offseason…
Anthony Davis Showed Up for Washington — And the Wizards Finally Looked Like a Real Team
The Wizards opened the season at home and beat the Bucks 128-116. Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his first game with Washington. Trae Young added 20 points and 13 assists. The Bucks led for stretches,…
Kawhi Leonard Is Back in Toronto — But the Raptors’ Real Engine Was the Whole Group
The Raptors opened the season at home and blew out the Bulls 135-92. Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in his return to Toronto, but the story was not one guy. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also finished with 23 apiece,…
Tyrese Haliburton Is Back — And the Pacers Finally Have Their Engine Again
Tyrese Haliburton played his first real NBA game in 486 days Wednesday night in New Orleans. The Pacers won 123-120 over the Pelicans, and Haliburton finished with 23 points and 12 assists. That is not a “welcome back” line. That…
Pistons Stun Celtics 121-113 in Electric Season Opener Behind 23-0 Fourth-Quarter Run
The NBA regular season opened with the kind of game that makes you remember why you watch. Detroit beat Boston 121-113 at Little Caesars Arena, and for long stretches it looked like the Celtics were going to pull away clean.…
Saints Rally Past Giants 34-27: Who Gets Credit, Who Takes the Heat, and Why This Team Is Better Than 2-4
The New Orleans Saints walked into MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 1-4, coming off three straight losses and public criticism from owner Gayle Benson. They left with a 34-27 win over the New York Giants. It was not clean. They…
Rams Drop to 2-4 After 18-16 Loss to Cardinals: McVay’s Decisions Keep Putting a Good Offense in Losing Situations
The Los Angeles Rams are 2-4 heading into Week 7 after losing 18-16 to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. Arizona never reached the end zone. Chad Ryland made six field goals, including a 43-yarder as time expired.…
Steelers Rally Past Buccaneers 26-19 in OT: Who Gets Credit, Who Gets Blame, and What Still Needs Work
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2 after a 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa. Aaron Rodgers threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Germie Bernard in overtime. The Steelers trailed 16-3…
Browns Rally for Ugly 13-10 Win Over Ravens: Who Gets Credit, Who Takes the Heat, and Why the Defense Keeps Them Alive
The Cleveland Browns are 4-2 after a 13-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field. They trailed 10-0 after the first quarter, managed almost nothing offensively for most of the game, and still walked off with…
Colts Drop to 2-4 After 26-20 Loss to Titans: Who’s on the Hot Seat, Who Gets Credit, and What Still Needs Fixing
The Indianapolis Colts are 2-4 after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans on Sunday. They led 13-0 at halftime, then gave up 26 points in the second half. The Titans scored on a blocked punt return,…
The Raiders Were Exposed in Foxborough
The Raiders left Gillette Stadium 3-2 and looking exactly like the team the rest of the AFC has been waiting to see. New England beat them 45-17. Drake Maye threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns, ran for another, and…
