Thunder and Lakers start life without Durant and Bryant

ByABC News
October 26, 2016, 7:00 PM

Welcome (back) to opening night

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  • Tuesday night, six teams tipped off the 2016-17 NBA season. Another 20 get their seasons underway Wednesday. The only teams that will not have played a game after the first two days of the season are the Hawks, Bulls, Clippers and Wizards.
  • In the nightcap, the Lakers will open a season without Kobe Bryant on the roster for the first time since 1995 (though Bryant did miss a handful of season openers because of injury in that span). They'll go against the Rockets and former Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN). The Lakers did win that pre-Kobe opener way back in 1995, en route to a 53-win season. Expectations aren't nearly as high for new Lakers coach Luke Walton.

Anthony Davis having monster game

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Davis' points total after three quarters (40) has surpassed the Pelicans' record for most in a season debut. He's also the fifth player in the last 50 seasons with 40 points and 10 rebounds in a season opener. One of Davis' standout plays tonight was this ferocious dunk:

Worth the wait?

Joel Embiid missed his first two NBA seasons because of injuries, but finally made his regular-season debut for the 76ers Wednesday night, and his first bucket sent Philly fans into a tizzy.

Embiid also showed off some dance moves before the game.

Pregame styles on point

The Thunder are in Philly, and Russell Westbrook is upholding his reputation as the NBA's fashionista. Meanwhile, in Boston, Gerald Green (and his hair) are ready for their return to the Celtics.