After three games on Tuesday night, the remaining NBA teams opened their 2026-27 seasons on Wednesday night. And with that, we’re finally introduced to the new teams of a number of star players who have been in regular season action in what has been quite an eventful summer around the league.
after He rates LeBron James’ opening act with the 76ershere are the report cards of some other notables after their first games in various digs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: B-
The biggest name to change teams this offseason (non-LeBron division). Once again, Pat Riley got his man. But even after getting Antetokounmpo, Riley has hinted they still want to add another key piece, suggesting the Heat need to upgrade a roster that could clearly use more floor spacing, shot creators, scoring and depth.
It certainly seemed that way in the Heat’s ugly 25-point home loss to the Timberwolves in the season opener. Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in 30 minutes, but it still wasn’t enough to keep the Heat in the game. To the extent that there were any positives for Miami, at least Giannis looked like Giannis — including free-throw air and open-court trouble (especially when the refs were lenient with traveling violations; more on that when we get to LaMelo Ball’s debut).
Antetokounmpo played just 36 games in his final season with the Bucks, the result of a combination of injuries and a late-season tank job. But before that, he finished in the top five in MVP voting in seven seasons. He’ll be 32 in December, but the Heat are confident he’s healthy and still has plenty of high-level basketball to offer.
If Miami wants to join the contenders in the loaded Eastern Conference, it will need all the heavy lifting it can muster.
LaMelo Ball: C
The letter “C” stands for comedy. Look, there’s no denying that Ball is a skilled basketball player. Ball had 21 points (7-for-17, including 5-for-13 from deep) and six assists in an easy win over the Heat.
He looked comfortable next to Anthony Edwards, who scored 45 points without breaking a sweat. Ball can hit from all over the pitch and he is a fantastic passer. But there’s a reason the Hornets moved on from Ball, and they were right to do so. During his tenure in Charlotte, he displayed an enticing talent, but it often came at the expense of individual moments and team success. And he often left you scratching your head as he made jaw-dropping plays with the Hornets.
About that last part, just look at this. What are we doing here?
Not so much that the ball takes, oh all of them The steps following his collection were quite frankly a terrifying journey. What’s more, he couldn’t help but laugh at it and then gestured to the crowd as if he had just emptied the impressive bucket. It’s impossible to be sure with Ball whether he’s in on the joke or completely unaware that he’s doing a bit of it all the time.
The thought of getting the ball and playing it with Edwards apparently wouldn’t get past the Thunder and Spurs as the Wolves were set up earlier, so why not give the experiment a chance? It’s a hot one to be sure. Now we’ll see if the Wolves can handle it or if they’ll burn out eventually.
Kawhi Leonard: B+
Leonard returns to Toronto after an eventful final year in Los Angeles to celebrate with charity. He’s an instant upgrade over Brandon Ingram on both ends of the floor, and when paired with Scottie Barnes, the Raptors now boast two of the best two-way wings in the league.
The first game back with his old club did not put much strain on Leonard. He has the Bulls to thank for not creating too many obstacles for his re-entry. In a 135-92 home win, Leonard had 23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and a block in just 24 minutes. He shot just 5-for-17 from the floor, but made all 11 of his free throws.
He was indirectly responsible for the highlight of the night.
Anthony Davis: A
Remember him? Since being acquired from the Lakers in February 2025, Davis has played just 29 games – all in Dallas. When the Mavericks traded him to the Wizards last season, Davis stayed true to his nickname and stayed in street clothes without stepping on the floor for Washington. Until Tuesday.
In a 128-116 win over the Bucks, Davis reminded everyone just how good he is with 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. He made 11 of 20 shots and hit a 3-pointer. The best thing is that he played 34 minutes. Yes, he was awful against the Bucks this season, but AD didn’t make the chart, and getting rusted against Milwaukee isn’t the worst considering how long it’s been since he played.
Since arriving in Washington, Davis has been a popular trade candidate in rumors and whispers around the league. The Wizards have insisted they have no interest in moving him, even though they have suspended contract extension talks this summer. It’s hard to blame the organization for wanting to see how he fits in, or even how available, before handing him the big bucks. Davis’ talent is undeniable, but he’ll turn 34 in March and multiple injuries have sidelined him numerous times throughout his career. He has played 56 games or fewer in six of the last 10 seasons.
But hey, at least he was there on Wednesday, playing with Trae Young and the Wizards. The crowd seemed to appreciate it.
You know the old saying, “if you’ve got one, you’d better smoke?” It was the basketball equivalent of “cheer him when he’s actually playing.”