Rookie Boozer comes close to the triple-double record – New Orleans secure their first win

The Memphis Grizzlies remain one of only two unbeaten teams. Rookie Cameron Boozer records a triple-double in his fifth game. The New Orleans Pelicans win the clash between the two previously winless sides.

NBA: Boozer shines with a triple-double

The Memphis Grizzlies remain the team of the moment. In their reunion with former franchise star Ja Morant, it was his successor, Cameron Boozer, who set the pace. The No. 3 pick scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and made 12 assists, making him the second-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. Only Josh Giddey (Thunder, 2022) was a few days younger.

The forward also hit his first three-pointers (4/5), whilst the previously outstanding Ty Jerome (10, 3/12) had an off day for a change. In contrast, eight Grizzlies players scored in double figures, whilst Portland had only four. Damian Lillard (9, 3/13) struggled to find the basket; the top scorer was Deni Avdija (24, 9 rebounds, 7 assists).

Ja Morant (14, 6/14) also had a rather lacklustre performance in just over 23 minutes and left the court in the fourth quarter with a thigh injury. For Portland (3-1), it was their first defeat, whilst Memphis (5-0) remain unbeaten, alongside the Houston Rockets (also 5-0).

NBA: Pelicans breathe a sigh of relief

In this clash between two winless sides, it was clear that one team would finally get their first win – and that team was the Pelicans (1-4). Although they were without two starters – playmaker Dejounte Murray (personal reasons) and centre Yves Missi (knee) – the team made up for it collectively. Youngster Jeremiah Fears stood out (22 points), setting a new career-high with 13 assists whilst also blocking four shots. In addition, the Pelicans got 41 points from their bench players, whilst the Kings (0-5) managed just eight.

At half-time, the game was still wide open, but a 16–2 run midway through the third quarter set the course for victory. Zion Williamson also scored 22 points (10/12 FG, 5 steals), whilst Herb Jones (16) impressed, having come off the bench for all of this season so far.

Sacramento, by contrast, committed 25 turnovers, which the hosts capitalised on to score 40 points. In fact, the Pelicans racked up a whopping 80 points in the paint. It didn’t help that four Kings players each scored at least 20 points. No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. shone with 34 points (13/26 FG) and 14 assists, but also had six turnovers. This was only surpassed by Domantas Sabonis (9 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 turnovers).

NBA: Cavs stumble in Atlanta

Meanwhile, the Cavs (3-2) suffered a setback, losing a close game in Atlanta (3-3). The Hawks led for the entire second half, but Cleveland closed the gap again towards the end, though without standing a chance of winning. Donovan Mitchell at least had two chances to send the game into overtime, but missed both. It simply wasn’t his night from the three-point line (1/9 3P).

That was also the difference in the game: the Hawks converted just under 40 per cent from outside (17/43), with three players each scoring four three-pointers. Among them was Onyeka Okongwu, who was the standout player for the hosts with 29 points (11/17 FG) and twelve rebounds. Nikeil Alexander-Walker (25) and Aaron Wiggins (20, 8/14, 7 rebounds), coming off the bench, also scored at least 20 points. For the Cavs, James Harden (24) and Mitchell (22) were the top scorers.