The 2026-2027 NBA season got off to an awesome start last night. The Detroit Pistons stunned the Boston Celtics with a 22-point comeback. LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers ruined the New York Knicks’ ring night. The Oklahoma City Thunder cooked the San Antonio Spurs behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32-point performance.
Tonight’s slate of NBA action features 11 matchups, and there’s a ton of fan bases who are excited to see what their squads have to offer. This offseason saw a ton of player movement, with impact players finding new homes.
Here are three star players making their regular-season debut with a new NBA franchise.
MORE: LeBron James goes all Midwestern on heckling Knicks fans in Philadelphia debut
Giannis Antetokounmpo starts a new journey in South Beach
The Miami Heat have always been in the mix for a superstar player but haven’t landed one in the past couple of years. Well, they got one this offseason.
For the first time in 13 years, Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be wearing a Milwaukee Bucks jersey on Game 1 of the regular season. He forms a dynamic duo with Bam Adebayo, and they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves to open the season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo just had the greatest 16 minutes:
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) October 15, 2026
18 PTS
11 REB
5 AST
3 BLK
7/8 FGM (87 FG%)
75 TS%
+9
THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD. pic.twitter.com/bTZsYfLUOD
The Greek Freak averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 boards, and 5.4 assists in 37 games with the Bucks last year. Expectations are high for the Heat, and it will be interesting to see how the 31-year-old does in Miami’s system.
MORE: NBA power rankings: All 30 teams ranked entering 2026-27 season
Kawhi Leonard begins chapter 2 with the Raptors
No one had a weirder offseason than Kawhi Leonard. He was dealing with a cap-circumvention scandal and a trade that raised doubts about whether it would go through. That’s all in the past now, and Toronto Raptors fans couldn’t be happier as Leonard returns to The 6ix.
As I Return. pic.twitter.com/yMv1iqMt30
— Kawhi Leonard (@Way2Whi) October 20, 2026
The NBA All-Second teamer takes on the Chicago Bulls in Toronto’s home opener and that building will be rocking when #2 gets introduced. The Klaw averaged 27.9 PPG and grabbed 6.3 rebounds last season. If Leonard stays healthy, the Raptors could be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Ja Morant gets a fresh start in Portland
Probably no player in the NBA needed a fresh start more than Ja Morant. He got that when the Memphis Grizzlies dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Morant was dealing with off-court issues, injuries, and poor play. The Murray State product only played in 20 games last year but still averaged 19.5 PPG. He’ll be coming off the bench when they battle the Phoenix Suns.
Ja Morant tonight:
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 17, 2026
19 PTS 🔥
8-10 FG 😤
3-3 3PT 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Wtv8S5qO3c
He’ll pair with Damian Lillard, who hopes to recreate some magic with the Blazers. Two players are trying to prove they still have it and get Rip City back to the playoffs.
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