Alperen Sengun opens NBA season with double-double as Lakers, Timberwolves claim victories

By Yunus Kaymaz and Halis Sunnetci

LONDON / ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish international Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double as the Houston Rockets opened their NBA season with a 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves also secured wins.

Sengun finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes at Houston's Toyota Center.

Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 30 points apiece, while Amen Thompson contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds.

For Dallas, rookie Cooper Flagg scored a game-high 32 points, Marcus Sasser added 17, and Kyrie Irving registered 15 in his first competitive appearance since March 2025.

- Kessler delivers perfect shooting performance on Lakers debut

The Los Angeles Lakers began their season with a commanding 127-105 home victory over the Golden State Warriors, led by an impressive debut from Walker Kessler.

The center scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, converting all 12 of his field-goal attempts.

Luka Doncic contributed 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Austin Reaves added 23 points.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points.

- Edwards scores 45 as Timberwolves overpower Heat

Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Miami Heat 131-106 on the road.

Edwards made nine three-pointers, becoming only the third player in NBA history, after Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, to score at least 40 points in multiple season openers.

LaMelo Ball added 21 points in his Timberwolves debut, while Rudy Gobert collected 15 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his first competitive appearance for Miami, but his effort was not enough to prevent defeat. Bam Adebayo contributed 15 points.