The 2025 NBA season began with a captivating display of veteran prowess and emerging talent. Victor Wembanyama stole the show with a dominant performance over highly anticipated rookie Cooper Flagg, while fellow newcomer VJ Edgecombe etched his name into history books with an unforgettable debut. Adding to the drama, an emotional homecoming for Khris Middleton saw him showered with appreciation from Milwaukee fans, even as Giannis Antetokounmpo powered his Bucks to victory.
The 2025 NBA season officially tipped off in earnest on Wednesday, October 22, with a dozen games igniting excitement across the league. This flurry of action followed Tuesday’s traditional curtain-raiser, where last year’s champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, received their rings before defeating the Houston Rockets in a double-overtime thriller. The Golden State Warriors also secured a road victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable season.
While Tuesday offered a taste of the new campaign, Wednesday delivered a spectacle of star power and fresh faces, with three stories dominating the headlines. From a highly anticipated rookie showdown to a historic scoring performance and an emotional reunion, the league wasted no time in creating new narratives.
Wembanyama Eclipses Flagg in Statement Victory
The most talked-about matchup came from Dallas, where the San Antonio Spurs squared off against the Dallas Mavericks. The game pitted the 2025 NBA Draft’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, against a burgeoning superstar in Victor Wembanyama, the number one pick from the 2023 draft. Expectations for Flagg were immense, entering the league as a potential franchise player for Dallas, but the night belonged to the 21-year-old Frenchman.
Wembanyama delivered a performance that resonated across the league, tallying an astounding 40 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks in just 30 minutes. His efforts propelled the Spurs to a comfortable 125-92 victory, silencing the Dallas crowd with “M-V-P!” chants echoing through the American Airlines Center. This dominant display served as a powerful reminder of his unique talent, especially after missing the end of last season due to a blood clot issue in his shoulder, which required surgery and limited him to 46 games, as reported by CNN Sports.
His game showcased an unprecedented combination of skills for a 7-foot-4 player: easy dunks, incredible ball-handling, and proficient three-point shooting. Defensively, Wembanyama’s length consistently disrupted the Mavericks’ offense, influencing shots and deflecting passes with his long arms. “We needed to make a statement,” Wembanyama declared after the game. “We’re all tired of losing, and that’s the truth.” His coach, Mitch Johnson, noted, “He’s been out eight months. He’s been waiting for this probably longer and more thorough than anybody else. You saw him take the moment and play spectacular.”
For Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old former Duke star, it was a challenging introduction to professional basketball. He finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds but appeared hesitant throughout the game, going 4-for-13 from the field with three turnovers. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd commented on his debut, “I thought Cooper played within himself. He took what the defense gave him.” Mavericks veteran Anthony Davis, acquired in a trade for Luka Doncic in February, acknowledged the pressure on Flagg, remarking, “He’s still a rookie. Everything was No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Wemby matchup. So you’re hearing it. I’m not sure if it got to him, but it’s first-game jitters when it’s time for the real thing.”
Flagg’s debut also carried historical weight; he became the second-youngest player to start in his first game, just two days older than LeBron James was 22 years prior. Despite the tough loss, Flagg remained optimistic: “I was excited, but I’m excited to go on… We know we’ve got a lot better than that. Staying positive and staying ready.” With Kyrie Irving sidelined for months due to a torn ACL, Flagg found himself starting at point guard, a significant challenge amplified by the defensive efforts of reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
VJ Edgecombe’s Historic Debut for Philadelphia
While Flagg navigated a tough initiation, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, VJ Edgecombe, enjoyed an immediate and historic impact with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 20-year-old guard exploded for 34 points in his NBA debut, setting a new franchise record for rookie scoring and ranking as the third most points ever by a rookie in their first game, according to NBA Public Relations. Only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points in 1959 and Frank Selvy’s 35 points in 1954 surpass Edgecombe’s remarkable outing.
Edgecombe’s electrifying performance was central to the 76ers’ narrow 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics. He was outscored only by teammate Tyrese Maxey, who posted an efficient 40 points on 54.2% shooting. Notably, the 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid contributed only four points in 20 minutes, highlighting the offensive load carried by the young guard and Maxey. The Celtics, meanwhile, were without their star player, Jayson Tatum, who is expected to miss most of the season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during last season’s playoffs, as reported by CNN.
Giannis Leads Bucks on Emotional Night for Khris Middleton
Wednesday also delivered an emotionally charged game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards, marked by the return of former Bucks stalwart Khris Middleton. After 12 years with the team, including a pivotal role in their 2020-21 NBA championship – the franchise’s first in half a century – Middleton made his first appearance in Milwaukee since leaving in the offseason.
The Fiserv Forum crowd showered Middleton with multiple standing ovations: during his introduction, a heartfelt tribute video in the first quarter, and as he checked out of the game. “To get that type of recognition, appreciation from the city, the organization, I mean, that meant the world to me,” Middleton shared emotionally. “To get a standing ovation on the road doesn’t happen often, so I wanted to make sure that they knew I acknowledge them… That’s every player’s dream to get a standing ovation no matter where they’re at.”
Despite the warm welcome for Middleton, the game itself was all Milwaukee. Led by the unstoppable “Greek Freak,” Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks secured a comfortable 133-120 victory. Antetokounmpo finished with a dominant stat line of 37 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in just 27 minutes, underscoring his continued leadership and MVP-caliber play for the team.
Looking Ahead: Early Season Implications
The opening days of the 2025 NBA season have provided a whirlwind of storylines. Victor Wembanyama’s early season statement against Cooper Flagg signals his ambition for a truly special year, while Flagg’s debut serves as a stark reminder of the steep learning curve for even the most heralded rookies. VJ Edgecombe’s historic entry into the league suggests that the 2025 draft class could be one for the ages, bringing immediate star power to Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, the emotional resonance of Khris Middleton’s return highlights the deep connections between players, teams, and fan bases, a crucial element of the NBA’s enduring appeal. With veterans like Giannis Antetokounmpo continuing to assert their dominance and fresh talent making instant impacts, the 2025 season is already shaping up to be an exciting journey filled with compelling narratives for fans to follow.
