Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and the 76ers are off to a 2-0 start after Thursday’s historic comeback.
One 2-0 squad. Three teams searching for their first win – and plenty of star power.
Saturday night’s NBA TV doubleheader features two key matchups, starting with the Sixers looking to stay unbeaten as they host the Bucks (7:30 ET).
Then, Stephen Curry and the Warriors visit Devin Booker and the Suns (10 ET), with both teams eyeing bounce-back wins.
Here are four things to watch:
1. Two new-look squads, two different starts
The 76ers entered the season with sky-high expectations. Through two games, they’ve delivered.
In its season opener, Philadelphia spoiled the rival Knicks’ banner night with a 106-100 win at Madison Square Garden.
On Thursday, the Sixers stormed back from 29 down to beat Cleveland in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown’s respective home debuts, marking the franchise’s largest comeback in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).
Tyrese Maxey (32 pts), Joel Embiid (24), Brown (21) and James (17) combined for 94 points in the win, including 61 in the second half as Philly outscored Cleveland, 69-37.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, is still finding its footing. The Bucks have dropped their first two games in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era, allowing a league-high 130 points per game in losses to the Wizards and Bulls.
Tyler Herro has been a bright spot offensively, coming off a 34-point performance in Friday’s loss to Chicago. But Milwaukee has yet to find its identity.
Now, the Bucks face their stiffest test yet against a Philly squad whose new pieces are already clicking.
2. Can Maxey keep driving Philly?
Last season, Maxey led the Sixers with career highs in points (28.3) and assists (6.6) per game en route to his second All-Star nod. With James and Brown entering the fold this season, there were questions about how his offensive role might change.
So far, he’s been the engine. In two games, the 25-year-old leads Philadelphia with 30 ppg, 10 more than the next closest player (Brown: 20 ppg), while averaging 5.5 assists.
And his decisiveness has caught the attention of Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.
“Obviously, he has been very impressive. Very impressive,” Nurse said after Thursday’s win. “Coming in this year, he seemed to take a level of confidence or maturity jump … and without a bit of arrogance. It just feels like he feels so sure of what he can do.”
The impact is clear. Philly has posted a 107.9 offensive rating with Maxey on the floor. When he’s off, that number dips to 75.7.
3. Can Khaman Maluach step up inside for Phoenix?
With Kristaps Porziņģis sidelined, Golden State is searching for answers inside. The Warriors opened the season with Draymond Green at center against the Lakers, then inserted rookie Graham Ike into the starting lineup Friday against Memphis.
In the opener, Walker Kessler dominated inside for Los Angeles, posting 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting, including 10 dunks. On Friday, rookie Cameron Boozer gave Golden State more trouble inside, tallying 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in Memphis’ 111-108 win.
Now, Khaman Maluach gets a shot to make his mark. The Suns entered the season with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined for an extended period, leaving Maluach and Oso Ighodaro to fill the void at center. But Ighodaro is out tonight after suffering an oblique strain in Wednesday’s loss to Portland.
Already hoping for a leap from Maluach in Year 2, the Suns now need even more from their 2025 lottery pick. Saturday’s game presents a prime opportunity against Golden State’s shorthanded front line.
4. Steph & Book shooting their shots
The nightcap also features two of the game’s most prolific shot-makers: Stephen Curry and Devin Booker.
Curry has led Golden State in scoring in each of its first two games, averaging 23.5 points. But the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers has shot just 29.4% from deep. Could tonight be the night the 3s start falling?
On the other side, Booker has found success against the Warriors. In his last 15 games against Golden State, the 5-time All-Star has averaged 28.6 points and 5.1 assists, leading Phoenix to nine wins.
Beyond their scoring brilliance, Curry and Booker share a mutual respect. As Olympic teammates, the two helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 Paris Games, where they developed a lasting friendship.
That connection was on display last December, when Curry wore Booker’s signature shoes against Phoenix.
“It’s truly hard to put into words,” Booker said afterward. “Thinking back to the Olympics and being able to share the floor with him … building a relationship that lasts a lifetime with somebody that I’ve idolized my whole life.”
“For it to come full circle for him to be competing against me in my shoe – if anything, I thought it’d be the other way around.”
On Saturday, the two friends, who also happen to be their franchises’ all-time leading scorers, meet again.
