🏀 It's back and better than ever!!

WE WITNESSED NBA BASKETBALL LAST NIGHT PEOPLE. We went to bed happy because we had two great games last night and woke up even happier because we have 1,228 more in this regular season (yes, we did the math.) We hope you are as over the moon as we are 🤩 

Today’s Lineup

First Chapter 📕 Book’s Brilliance elevates the Suns past the Warriors

Lookin’ like Champs 🏆 The Nuggets took care of business vs the Lakers

Staying Home 🦌 Giannis signs his contract extension with wholesome words

And here’s some trivia to start out your day 🏀⬇️

Opening Night!

Suns stave off Warriors 108-104 thanks to Booker’s Brilliance 

Devin Booker was the best player on the floor tonight, plain and simple. He poured in 21 points in the first half, and when Steve Kerr threw different looks at him, he showed his playmaking chops. Seriously, we don’t think it’s a big problem Phoenix doesn’t have a “true PG.”

Even with Bradley Beal sidelined for injury, Phoenix seemed flat-out the better team in the first half. Unfortunately for Suns fans, there are 3 certainties in life: death, taxes, and a third-quarter Warriors run. Down the stretch, Booker (32 points) dimed Josh Okogie and Eric Gordon, who hit a pair of clutch threes to ward off Steph Curry’s (27 points) comeback efforts.

It was the first time Kevin Durant (18 points) played in front of a Warrior crowd since the 2019 Finals, and Dubs fans greeted the former Finals MVP with warm applause. Should the Warriors retire #35? We think so.

How did Chris Paul fit into things? Well, we’d grade his night a B. He made some nice plays to keep the Warriors in things and dished out 9 assists, but he shot blanks from three down the stretch. Still, the dynamics between two of the greatest point guards of all time will surely improve as the season progresses. By March, we expect CP3 to be a 60% three-point shooter and wear a mouth guard.

Nuggets handle Lakers 119-107 behind Jokic’s triple-double 

Before the game, Denver got their championship rings (they’re awesome, BTW). Then, they got a 1-0 record to start the season! Jamal Murray had an efficient 21-piece while Nikola Jokic (29 points) picked the Lakers defense apart toward a triple-double, his 106th ever. For context of how insane that is for a big man, every other active center combined has 38.

We said it all the time last postseason, but we still can’t get over just how pretty the Nuggets offense is to watch. Denver sprang out to an early 18-point lead, but the Lakers pulled within 3 with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter. Whenever the Lakers made a push, Denver had an answer, whether that be an explosive Aaron Gordon play, Jokic bully-ball down low, or a fading jumper by Murray.

For the Lake Show, LeBron (21 points) found success in transition, but AD (17 points) went silent in the second half. To Lakers fans looking for a silver lining, Taurean Prince (18 points) already seems like a very solid acquisition as a wing 3&D guy, so there’s that 😊 

The main question mark of the offseason for Denver was how they would replace the do-it-all skillset of Bruce Brown. Tonight Christian Braun provided solid play off the bench, though the best on the 2nd unit was clearly Reggie Jackson, who at one point dropped LeBron James (did he trip? Yes.) and did the Mutumbo finger wag after tipping an inbound pass. The NBA is back, folks.

Giannis Inks Extension

Sleep easy, Bucks fans! Not only do you have Dame, but you officially have Giannis for another 3+ years as he signed a 3-year/$186 million extension! We suppose stars suddenly want out in the modern NBA all the time…but we’ll wager our League Pass subscription that the Greek Freak doesn’t end up in Phoenix next year.

Jokes aside, we love to see a superstar commit to his small market and it’s clear that Giannis loves the Bucks organization: "It was the first time in my NBA career I didn't know the number of my contract. I just signed it because I wanted to be here." 🥲 

Frozen Moments

• No way Klay commuted to practice by kayak!

• Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick have the goofiest costumes ever

• Who came up clutch in Phoenix? Jusuf Nurkic, baby!

What We’re Enjoying

Crazy Crossover: The Kid LAROI, Jung Kook, and Central Cee released the music video for their new single “TOO MUCH.” Yes, you read those names right. Talk about a wild team up.

Signing Off

Night #1 of our favorite sport is done…and Night #2 is today!! We are so glad basketball is back and that you’re here to experience it with us. Let’s make it a good one ✌️

-Conor Geelan

Trivia Answer: Today’s answer is Magic Johnson, who went from April 1983 to February 1984 without recording less than 10 assists in a regular season game. Absolutely crazy!