Starting 5, Oct. 24: OT thriller in Intuit Dome opener, Risacher's NBA ...

Houston, prepare for liftoff. This Brandon Miller hammer in H-Town set the early bar for the new NBA Dunk Score — hitting a mark of 108.9.

Find more on what went into the score at the end of today’s edition. For now … let’s catch you up. ????

THE LINEUP ????

Oct. 24, 2024 | What’s inside today’s edition?

Courts Unveiling: The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 team courts drop today with a splash

Day 2 Debuts: Extra hoops at the Intuit Dome, the first pick’s first game and Ja’s return

Stars Show Out: Dame, Paolo and LaMelo light it up in season-opening wins

Wednesday Roundup: Three convincing wins and a 4th-quarter rally

Thursday Theater: Klay & CP3’s Texas debuts, a Denver-OKC duel and more

BUT FIRST … ⏰

A star-studded Thursday night…

In a loaded four-game slate, Klay Thompson and Chris Paul debut with their new teams as the Mavs host the Spurs (7:30 ET, TNT). Then, a heavyweight bout gets underway out West as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC face Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets in Denver (10 ET, TNT).

Plus, this year’s No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, will get his first NBA action as the Wizards host the Celtics (7 ET, League Pass) before DeMar DeRozan makes his Kings debut against Anthony Edwards and the Wolves (10 ET, League Pass).

Are You Ready? Test your knowledge on tonight’s four matchups with NBA Play Trivia.

1. EMIRATES NBA CUP COURTS REVEALED TODAY AT NOON

With the Emirates NBA Cup tipping off Tuesday, Nov. 12, we’ve got a surprise coming your way in just a few hours.

At 12 ET on the NBA App, NBA.com and @NBA social, we’ll be unveiling the 2024 NBA Cup team courts designed by artist Victor Solomon.

Keep reading for what to know … and stay tuned for something colorful.

2024 Emirates NBA Cup: 30 teams. 8 advance. 1 champion.

What Is The Emirates NBA Cup? The Emirates NBA Cup is the league’s annual in-season competition, which provides players and teams the opportunity to chase another championship, engages fans in a new way and drives additional interest in the early portion of the regular season. | More FAQs How Does The Competition Work? The tournament begins with Group Play from Nov. 12-Dec. 3. All 30 teams are split into six groups, with the winner of each group and one wild card per conference advancing to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds. | See The Draw What Happens Next? The four teams that advance past the Quarterfinals (played on Dec. 10-11) head to Las Vegas, where the Semifinals (Dec. 14) and Championship (Dec. 17) will be played at a neutral site (T-Mobile Arena). | Schedule How Does This Impact The Schedule? Every Emirates NBA Cup game also counts as a regular-season game except for the Championship. Teams that do not advance will have two additional games added to their schedule to complete the full 82-game season. | Complete Rules & Format The Heist II: Watch award-winning actors Michael Imperioli and Rosario Dawson break down the competition and the stakes as they star alongside NBA All-Stars Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and Jrue Holiday in “The Heist II“

2. THE DOME, THE WALL, THE GAME & TWO MARQUEE DEBUTS

Suns 116, Clippers 113 (OT): Last season, the Suns struggled in 4th quarters (they were outscored by 195 total points, 100 more than any other team), but in Wednesday’s season opener, Phoenix closed the 4th quarter on a 22-12 run to force overtime and eventually spoil LA’s debut game at the Intuit Dome. | Recap | Watch The Dramatic Finish

Suns Trio Shines: Kevin Durant (25 pts, 7 reb), Bradley Beal (24 pts, 4 3s) and Devin Booker (15 pts, 6 ast, 4 3s before fouling out) combined for 64 points in the first overtime game in a new arena’s opening game since 2005 (Charlotte’s Spectrum Arena) LA Connection: James Harden (29 pts, 12 reb, 8 ast) and Ivica Zubac (21 pts, 9 reb) combined for 50 points in the loss, with half of Harden’s dimes going to Zubac

Opening night of the Intuit Dome also meant the debut of “The Wall” — a dedicated seating area behind the opposing team’s 2nd-half basket, reserved for the most diehard Clippers fans to help increase the home-court advantage.

Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue: “The wall is crazy, that’s our sixth man.” Trivia Question: Who scored the first bucket at the Intuit Dome? Norman Powell is the answer after hitting a pull-up jumper from the foul line on the game’s opening possession Saluting A Legend: The Clippers honored Jerry West – who served as a consultant for the franchise from 2017 until his passing – with a ‘JW’ court decal and a memorial seat in his usual spot behind the basket during games

Hawks 120, Nets 116: Cam Thomas (36 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl) shined with 20 points in the 4th quarter, but the Nets couldn’t slow down Trae Young (30 pts, 5 reb, 12 ast) and Onyeka Okongwu (career-high 28 pts, 8 reb, 3 blk), while this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, added seven points in his NBA debut to help earn a Hawks dub. | Recap

First Pick’s First Shot: It didn’t take long for Risacher to get into the scorers’ column as the 19-year-old splashed a 3 in the 1st quarter on his first career attempt Trae ???? Luka: Young is now tied with Luka Dončić — who he was traded for on Draft Night in 2018 – for the fifth-most 30/10 games in NBA history with 78 Bigger Than Basketball: Before tipping off its season, Atlanta held a moment of silence to honor the great Dikembe Mutombo, who played for the Hawks from 1996-2001

Grizzlies 126, Jazz 124: Ja Morant posted 22 points and 10 assists in his first regular-season game since Jan. 5, while Santi Aldama (team-high 27 pts, 5 3s) and Desmond Bane (24 pts, 4 3s) combined for 51 to help the Grizzlies hold off a late Jazz push to open the season 1-0. | Recap

Jazz Duo Shines: Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 35 points, nine boards and four 3s, while Walker Kessler posted a double-double (16 pts, 14 reb) with five blocks

3. STAR SCORERS: DAME, PAOLO & LAMELO DAZZLE

In his Bucks debut last season, Damian Lillard poured in 39 points to lead Milwaukee to a win over the Sixers.

In the Bucks season opener on Wednesday, Lillard went off against Philly again, posting 30 points, nine boards and six dimes while cooking with Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 pts, 14 reb, 7 ast) to lead Milwaukee to a 124-109 win against Tyrese Maxey (25 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) and company. | Recap

Deer Time: Lillard went 6-of-12 from 3 and Giannis went 8-of-11 from the floor while Taurean Prince (4-5 3P) and Bobby Portis (7-10 FG) added 16 points apiece Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner

Magic 116, Heat 97: In this year’s first edition of the Sunshine State rivalry, Paolo Banchero (33 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast) was red-hot and got help from Franz Wagner (23 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) to push the Magic past Terry Rozier (19 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and the Heat in Miami. | Recap

Magic Men: Both Banchero (12-24 FG, 4-8 3P) and Wagner (10-16 FG, 3-6 3P) shot 50% from 3, and Orlando outscored Miami 39-18 in the 3rd quarter to pull away Legend Honored: To commemorate Pat Riley’s 30th season with the franchise, the Heat held a halftime ceremony to unveil ‘Pat Riley Court’

Hornets 110, Rockets 105: LaMelo Ball went off (34 pts, 11 ast, 4 3s), Tre Mann shined off the bench (24 pts, 4 3s) and Grant Williams hit the clutch go-ahead 3 as the Hornets overcame an 18-point deficit to open the season with a win. | Recap

Poster Alert: Before exiting in the 1st quarter with a hip injury, Brandon Miller unleashed a monster jam

4. ROUNDUP: PELS FLY, PACERS RALLY, DUBS & CAVS ROLL

Pelicans 123, Bulls 111: Brandon Ingram (33 pts, 7 reb, 3 3s) and CJ McCollum (23 pts, 5 ast, 5 3s) combined for 56 points to lead New Orleans past Chicago. Dejounte Murray nearly posted a triple-double (14 pts, 10 ast, 8 reb) in his Pelicans debut, but injured his left hand in the 4th quarter. | Recap

Running With The Bulls Again: In his first game in 279 days (since Jan. 18, 2024), Zach LaVine led Chicago with 27 points and five 3s. In his first game in 1,013 days (since Jan. 14, 2022), Lonzo Ball had five points and four assists

Pacers 115, Pistons 109: Cade Cunningham (28 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast) and the Pistons were in control for the first three quarters, but Indiana outscored Detroit 33-19 in the 4th, and Tyrese Haliburton (15 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl) sank a dagger 3 with 20.4 seconds left to secure a Pacers win. | Recap

Front Court Control: Myles Turner (20 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast) led the Pacers in scoring, while Pascal Siakam (19 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast) posted a near triple-double

Warriors 139, Trail Blazers 104: In his Warriors debut, Buddy Hield erupted for 22 points and five 3s in less than 15 minutes, while Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and Steph Curry finished one board shy of a triple-double (17 pts, 10 ast, 9 reb) as the Warriors rolled in their season opener. | Recap

Cavaliers 136, Raptors 106: Evan Mobley (25 pts, 9 reb) and Donovan Mitchell (21 pts, 3 ast, 3 stl) combined for 46 points, and Caris LeVert (19 pts, 8-9 FG, 4 ast) was feeling it as Cleveland pulled away from Chris Boucher (18 pts, 4-5 3P) and the Raptors in Toronto. | Recap

5. THURSDAY THEATER: KLAY & CP3 DEBUT IN TEXAS DUEL

One game. Two all-time talents in new threads.

Fresh off a Finals run, Dallas is looking to build on last season with a new sharpshooting wing. About four hours south in San Antonio, the Spurs paired their 2023-24 Kia Rookie of the Year with a legendary floor general.

On Thursday, the two sides will meet as Klay Thompson and Chris Paul make their regular-season debuts with their new teams in a Texas duel between the Mavs and Spurs (7:30 ET, TNT).

CP3 & Wemby: Now entering his 20th NBA season, Paul — who ranks third all-time in assists — begins a new chapter in San Antonio alongside the reigning ROY Victor Wembanyama. Together, they’ll look to lead the Spurs to their first Playoff berth since 2018-19 Dallas Trio Debut: Meanwhile, after a 13-year tenure with theWarriors, Thompson’s Dallas debut will also mark his first outing with both Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, as the trio didn’t play together during the preseason Luka Magic: In his 20 career matchups against San Antonio, Dončić has posted 29.4 ppg, the second-highest points average against the Spurs by any player since 1996-97

The star power continues in the second leg of TNT’s doubleheader, as the top two finishers in last year’s MVP voting, Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, square off in a marquee matchup between the Nuggets and Thunder (10 ET, TNT).

New-Look Nugs: Led by Jokić, the reigning Kia MVP, Denver will look to emulate its 2023 title run after falling to the Wolves in Game 7 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. But this time, the Nugs have some new pieces Stacked OKC: After becoming the youngest team to earn a No. 1 seed last season, OKC bolstered its core this summer by adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. But fans will have to wait for Hartenstein’s debut, as the new big man will miss the first few weeks of the season with a hand injury

On NBA League Pass, the Wizards’ No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, will make his NBA debut against the reigning champion Celtics, who will look to improve to 2-0 after their opening night win over the Knicks (7 ET, LP).

Then, DeMar DeRozan will make his Kings debut against the Wolves in Sacramento, where Anthony Edwards and Minnesota look to rebound from Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers (10 ET, LP).

What went into Miller’s 108.9 Overall Dunk Score? Scores of 67 for Defensive Contest, 70 for Style, 91 for Jump and 94 for Power.

See ya tomorrow, when we take flight again.