Around the NBA: Nov. 7

All stats and records are accurate up to games played on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The debut of the inaugural In-Season Tournament last Friday was the focal point of a week full of storylines for what has been an interesting start to the NBA season.

To quickly summarize the tournament games:

Tyrese Haliburton hit a clutch step-back mid-range jumper and Myles Turner had a game-clinching block to help the Pacers overcome 38 points from Donovan Mitchell and defeat the Cavaliers 121-116.

Jalen Brunson dropped 45 points for the Knicks, but they were sunk by a Damian Lillard three-pointer and an and-one layup as the Bucks won 110-105.

Tyler Herro had a near triple-double 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help the Heat overcome the Wizards 121-114.

Zach LaVine missed a jump shot that would have tied the game at the buzzer as the Nets escaped with a 109-107 win.

Shaedon Sharpe nailed two clutch free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation while Malcolm Brogdon had a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists as the Trail Blazers held off the Grizzlies in overtime 115-113.

The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 125-114 in what was the least contested game in terms of score disparity. However, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic put on a show. Jokic finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists on 14-16 shooting while Doncic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a losing effort.

In a game with a controversial ending, Stephen Curry had 30 points and made a game-winning layup with two-tenths of a second remaining in the game to lead the Warriors to a 141-139 win over the Thunder.

The main takeaway from day one of the In-Season Tournament is the competitiveness and intensity that the players and coaches performed with. The success of the tournament was dependent on how much organizations bought into the importance of it, and early signs were positive judging by the amount of games that came down to the wire.

The Denver Nuggets and new-look Boston Celtics look like the early favorites in the Western and Eastern conferences.

Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season, averaging 28 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists while shooting an absurd 63% from the field. The Nuggets are a West-leading 7-1 on the season, with their one loss coming to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jokic will have to carry a heavier load for the next few games, however, as Jamal Murray is out indefinitely due to a right hamstring strain.

The Celtics are tied with the 76ers atop the East with a 5-1 record, with their only blemish also coming at the hands of the Timberwolves, and more specifically an Anthony Edwards takeover in overtime.

Star forward Jayson Tatum joins Jokic and Doncic as early MVP candidates. The four-time all-star has opened the season averaging 31 points and nine rebounds while flirting with the exclusive 50/40/90 club all while sharing the court with three other all-star caliber players.

Speaking about the Timberwolves, they have had one of the most impressive starts to begin the campaign. Minnesota has had the most difficult schedule in the league to open the season, yet they are 4-2 while boasting wins over the aforementioned one-loss Nuggets and Celtics and against the reigning Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat.

As many basketball fans expected, Edwards has made the leap to superstardom. His 28 points per game combined with his incredible efficiency to open the season has allowed the T-Wolves to overcome Karl-Anthony Towns’ slow start.

Currently, third in the West, Minnesota will look ahead to their matchup on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Stat of the Week

Bam Adebayo dropped 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in the Miami Heat’s Monday win over the Lakers. Per ESPN, that was the first 20-20-10 game in Miami history.

Alex Perez is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email app5877@psu.edu.