Durant’s triple-double lifts Nets
PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Durant had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, James Harden scored 20 points and the Brooklyn Nets closed with a 16-1 run to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Friday night as each team played without a much-discussed star guard.
The Nets were missing Kyrie Irving, who isn’t with the team due to his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Ben Simmons sat out the home opener for personal reasons and the Sixers do not know when the three-time All-Star will return.
SUNS 115, LAKERS 105
Chris Paul scored his 20,000th career point on the way to 23 points and 14 assists and won at winless Los Angeles.
Paul became the first player in NBA history to pair 20,000 points with 10,000 career assists.
LeBron James scored 25 points and Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as Los Angeles fell to 0-2.
JAZZ 110, KINGS 101
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 20 rebounds and Utah won at Sacramento.
Harrison Barnes led Sacramento with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
WIZARDS 135 PACERS 134 (OT)
Davis Bertans made a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left in overtime, and host Washington overcame the absence of Bradley Beal to edge Indiana. Beal was out because of hip problems, but Spencer Dinwiddie scored 34 points in his home debut for the Wizards.
Myles Turner scored a career-high 40 points for the Pacers.
RAPTORS 115, CELTICS 83
Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Gary Trent Jr. scored 12 of his 20 points in the third quarter and Toronto won at Boston to spoil the Celtics’ home opener.
In new Boston coach Ime Udoka’s home debut, Jayson Tatum scored 18 points and Al Horford added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
KNICKS 121, MAGIC 96
Julius Randle had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and New York improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 season with a win at Orlando, Fla.
NUGGETS 102, SPURS 96
Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 16 rebounds and Monte Morris added 13 as host Denver held off San Antonio.
Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 27 points.
HORNETS 123 CAVALIERS 112
Miles Bridges scored 30 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 as Charlotte spoiled Cleveland’s home opener.
BULLS 128, PELICANS 112
Zach LaVine scored 32 points, DeMar DeRozan added 26 and host Chicago won its home opener.
Chicago’s Lonzo Ball added a triple-double against his former team with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.