NBA roundup of the 11 games played on 21 October 2026.
Washington Wizards 128-116 Milwaukee Bucks
One of the projects that has changed the most from one season to the next –although the key players arrived in February– has got off to a good start. Led by Anthony Davis with 34 points and 12 rebounds, alongside Trae Young with 20 points and 13 assists, the Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks to secure a winning record for the first time since November 2022…
The capital’s team won, but it was not easy at all. After three closely contested quarters, the Wizards stepped up in the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Bucks 38-23. By the way, we were left without seeing the debut of the number 1 draft pick, A.J. Dybantsa, but he shouldn’t take too long since it’s a minor ankle sprain.
Orlando Magic 125-132 Atlanta Hawks
First surprise of the season? Half of one. Orlando still seems to be relying on a formula that isn’t working, and last night they took the first step in that direction by losing at home to the Atlanta Hawks, who are, in any case, a good side.
It was a game of ups and downs, as each team won a quarter until the Georgia side landed the decisive blow in the last. They got there thanks to 31 points from an excellent Nickeil Alexander-Walker and a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double from Jalen Johnson.
You can’t say the Florida side’s stars played badly –35 points from Paolo Banchero and 22 from Franz Wagner–, but the collective did not perform at the expected level, to the point of conceding 132 points, which is a lot.
Brooklyn Nets 103-110 Charlotte Hornets
The game between two teams expected to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings highlighted that neither is in any position to set the world alight.
The Hornets, led by the freshly re-signed Brandon Miller, prevailed thanks to 18 points from him and a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double from Naz Reid. There was no shine. 42 turnovers between the two sides and problems from three, but at least for the Carolina side the story ended in victory.
And the Nets of Jordi Fernández? They enjoyed an excellent Julius Randle with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, but they started with a home defeat and now they have to travel to Cleveland, a very tough place to go.
Toronto Raptors 135-92 Chicago Bulls
And so we arrive at the first beatdown. What unfolded in Canada was a bloodbath for the ‘bulls’, with no mercy until the Raptors closed the night with a 43-point lead…
The game was all but over as soon as it started, as the Toronto side finished the first quarter ahead by 20, a huge weight on a rival that found no solution to its problems for 48 minutes.
As for individual performances, Kawhi Leonard returned with 23 points, and the most interesting thing is that three other teammates scored at least 20. The Raptors look very good, and the Bulls could not even get excited about the debut of Caleb Wilson, 17 points… but 9 turnovers.
Miami Heat 106-131 Minnesota Timberwolves
And the big results keep coming. It was one of the most anticipated games for the official debut of Giannis Antetokounmpo as a Miami Heat player, and the reality is that he could only enjoy the greatness of Anthony Edwards, who put up 45 points to crush the Florida side.
Apart from the first quarter, the new Heat could not keep up with the pace of a more complete rival, more convinced of the path needed to become an NBA elite. Thus, the Greek’s 35 points only served to dress up a game the Erik Spoelstra boys will want to forget as soon as possible.
Memphis Grizzlies 123-103 Utah Jazz
45 points from Ty Jerome have dashed any hopes of the Salt Lake City side on the debut day of a project in which they have placed great expectations; so much so that Will Hardy was clearly hurt by what he saw on the court.
Memphis, a team few are counting on this season –point to our colleague Aitor–, won far too easily, even though Cameron Boozer, a rookie from whom a great deal is expected, finished with 7 points after going 2 of 15 from the field. The best of the Jazz was Keyonte George with 22 points.
New Orleans Pelicans 120-123 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are back! Tyrese Haliburton returned 16 months later, and the Indianapolis side celebrated by winning a tough game against the Pelicans that was decided in the final moments, as the Louisiana side had as many as three chances to force overtime.
Turning to ‘Hali’, he really looked good with a 23-point, 12-assist double-double, also enjoying his partnership with Ivica Zubac (16-15) and being supported by a spectacular Pascal Siakam who went up to 30 points.
Indiana were where they were expected to be, but the Pelicans cannot be underestimated either, as they made it clear they are approaching the season eager to compete. Individually, 23 points for Dejounte Murray and 22 for Zion Williamson.
Houston Rockets 128-110 Dallas Mavericks
Everything went to script in the Texan derby. Houston were favourites and showed it by a wide margin, while Dallas enjoyed Cooper Flagg’s 32 points, but could celebrate little else.
The game was effectively settled at half-time, as the third quarter was a 38-12 rout in favour of the Rockets, who had Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. as their best players with 30 points each.
The writer already said on the podcast that he had great faith in these Rockets, and the first step has been taken. Obviously we can’t go beyond first impressions for now, but they should cause plenty of trouble in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers 127-105 Golden State Warriors
Luka Doncic is smiling, the Lakers are smiling. The Slovenian genius sent a message to the fans before the game, speaking of the start of the road to a championship, and those words did not fall on deaf ears, as they rolled over the Warriors, which is not something that can be called a surprise either.
Luka went up to 28 points, Austin Reaves added 23, and the new big man, Walker Kessler, had his fill of living at the rim with 10 dunks, 12 of 12 from the field and a total of 26 points.
While the Angelenos are giving off very good vibes, the San Francisco side look doomed before they even start. No energy, no hope, nothing. 23 points from Stephen Curry for nothing, and a squad badly weakened by injuries leaves them with no options.
Portland Trail Blazers 124-83 Phoenix Suns
The beatdown of the beatdowns. Ja Morant made a grand debut and Damian Lillard made it clear he is still a superstar as the Blazers crushed the Suns, a team that raises plenty of doubts about performance this season.
What is clear is that there is genuine excitement in Oregon, and it is well founded, because we are talking about those two enormous guards, but behind them there is a deep and physical roster capable of sustaining 48 minutes at a consistent level.
Phoenix’s best, as was to be expected, was Devin Booker with 23 points; however much he did, the reality is that collectively nothing worked at all. 6 of 31 from three…
Los Angeles Clippers 121-96 Sacramento Kings
We close with a Californian derby that clearly tilted towards the Clippers and that suggests the Kings are once again living in the basement of the NBA with an expired project –and not a recent one.
Good for Darius Garland, who led his side with 30 points; and bad for others like Keegan Murray, who seems definitively lost to the cause: 2 points with 1 of 8 shooting…
Neither should be a real contender in the Western Conference, but at least the Angelenos left their home debut with a smile.
(Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)