Irving scores 50, misses shot to be hero

Kyrie Irving scored 50 points in a record-setting Nets debut Wednesday night but lost his balance and missed a potential winning shot that allowed the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to pull out a 127126 victory over Brooklyn in overtime.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 36 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota, and Andrew Wiggins finished with 21 points.

Irving had the ball in his hands with a chance to cap his dazzling debut with a victory. He ran the clock down and then began his drive, but lost his balance near the foul line. He retained his dribble, got up and shot, but his jumper missed.

BUTLER MISSES HEAT DEBUT >> Justise Winslow scored 27 points, rookie Kendrick Nunn scored 24 in his NBA debut, and the Miami Heat ran away in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 120-101 in the season opener for both teams. Goran Dragic scored 19 points for Miami, which played without Jimmy Butler — who missed what would have been his Heat debut for personal reasons.

Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, scored 14 points and had four assists for Memphis. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 17 points, and Tyus Jones added 15.

Butler was with the Heat for its morning shootaround practice, then told the team around mid-afternoon that he would not be able to play.

“Everything is fine,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

76ERS TOP CELTICS IN BATTLE OF EAST FAVORITES >> Joel Embiid had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Ben Simmons scored 24 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the visiting Boston Celtics 107-93. The Sixers and Celtics roughed up each other with more than 60 fouls whistled.

DONCIC-PORZINGIS DEBUT CARRIES MAVS PAST WIZARDS >> Luka Doncic had 34 points and nine rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 points in the European pair’s long-awaited first game together, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 108-100 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards. Doncic was 12 of 19 overall to help the Mavericks win their opener for the first time in four years.

HORNETS MAKE 23 3-POINTERS IN WIN OVER BULLS >> Rookie PJ Washington erupted for 27 points on seven 3-pointers, and the Charlotte Hornets opened the post-Kemba Walker era with a thrilling come-frombehind 126-125 win over the visiting Bulls. The Hornets made 23 3-pointers, the most in franchise history in a regulation game.

BEVERLEY FINED $25,000 FOR THROWING BALL INTO STANDS >> Clippers guard Patrick Beverley was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing a basketball into the stands at the end of Tuesday’s win over the Lakers.

SALT LAKE CITY TO HOST 2023 ALL-STAR GAME >> Commissioner Adam Silver announced Salt Lake City will host the 2023 All-Star Game.