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Looking back – NBA.com
Relive highlights from top players from today and in league history as they made their NBA debuts.
From NBA.com Staff
Check out 50 first career baskets of NBA superstars in league history!
The 2023-24 NBA season will open with Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller and several others from the 2023 Draft making their debut. In addition, 2022 Draft pick Chet Holmgren — who missed the 2022-23 season due to injury — will also make his debut.
As a new season nears and the debut of those players (and others) near, here’s a look back at some memorable debuts from NBA stars past and present.
Current players
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Listen in as Giannis Antetokounmpo talks before his first NBA game.
Paolo Banchero
Go behind the scenes as No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero hits the court for his NBA debut, which turns out to be a gem.
Stephen Curry
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Stephen Curry's first basket and his regular season NBA debut on Oct. 28, 2009.
Anthony Davis
Relive some highlights from Anthony Davis' debut in 2012.
Luka Doncic & Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic make their NBA debut in an Oct. 17, 2018 game.
Joel Embiid
Take a look back at the highlights from Joel Embiid's first regular season NBA game in 2016.
LeBron James
Relive LeBron James' rookie season debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003!
Damian Lillard
Relive the 23-point, 11-assist performance Damian Lillard had for the Blazers in his NBA debut in 2012.
Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, John Collins & Jonathan Isaac
Go all-access as Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox, John Collins, Jonathan Isaac, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell experience their very first NBA opening nights!
Ja Morant
Check out the best moments from Ja Morant's debut in 2019.
Chris Paul
Check out some behind-the-scenes moments and highlights from Chris Paul's first NBA game on Nov. 1, 2005.
Karl-Anthony Towns & D’Angelo Russell
Check out the best from Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell in their NBA debuts.
Zion Williamson
Take a look back at the highlights form Zion Williamson's first regular season NBA game in 2020.
Trae Young
Check out the best of Trae Young's NBA debut from Oct. 17, 2018.
NBA legends
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
On Oct. 18, 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 29 points in his debut with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Carmelo Anthony
Relive some of the top highlights from Carmelo Anthony's first NBA game.
Rick Barry
On Oct. 15, 1965, Rick Barry recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds in his debut with San Francisco Warriors.
Charles Barkley
Future NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley made his NBA debut on Oct. 26, 1984.
Kobe Bryant
On Nov. 3, 1996, Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Larry Bird
On Oct 12, 1979, Larry Bird made his NBA debut vs the Rockets.
Patrick Ewing
New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing made his NBA debut on Oct. 26, 1985.
Kevin Garnett
On Nov. 3, 1995, Kevin Garnett made his NBA debut with the Timberwolves.
Tim Hardaway
On Nov. 4, 1989 Tim Hardaway knocked down his first career NBA basket vs Houston.
John Havlicek
Take a look back at Hall of Famer John Havlicek's debut game on Oct 20, 1962.
Grant Hill
Grant Hill finishes with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a 115-98 loss to the Lakers on Nov. 4, 1994.
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson had an incredible rookie debut in 1996, when he scored 30 points in a game against the Bucks.
Magic Johnson
On Oct 12, 1979, Magic Johnson made his NBA debut vs the Clippers.
Michael Jordan
On Oct. 26, 1984, future NBA legend Michael Jordan appeared in his first NBA game with the Bulls.
Hakeem Olajuwon
On Oct. 27, 1984, Hakeem Olajuwon made his debut for the Rockets.
Shaquille O’Neal
On Nov. 6, 1992, No. 1 overall draft pick Shaquille O’Neal made his NBA debut with the Orlando Magic.
Dirk Nowitzki
Take a look back at Dirk Nowitzki’s first NBA bucket in 1999.
David Robinson
Take a look at David Robinson's debut for the Spurs in 1989.
John Stockton
Hall of Fame guard John Stockton made his NBA debut on Oct. 26, 1984.
Isiah Thomas
On Oct. 30, 1981, Isiah Thomas recorded 31 points and 11 assists against the Bucks in his NBA debut with the Pistons.
Dwyane Wade
Relive Dwyane Wade's debut for the Heat back in 2003.
Dominique Wilkins
Relive the 23-point game Dominique Wilkins enjoyed in his NBA debut with Atlanta in 1982.
James Worthy
Relive the 20-point game James Worthy had in his NBA debut with the Lakers in 1982.
As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today.
Take a look at 10 of the youngest players to make their mark in the league.
Take a look back at the storylines, award-winners and much more from each season in NBA history.
Look back at the winners of every NBA award, All-NBA team and more in NBA history.
As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today.
Take a look at 10 of the youngest players to make their mark in the league.
Take a look back at the storylines, award-winners and much more from each season in NBA history.
Look back at the winners of every NBA award, All-NBA team and more in NBA history.
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