10 takeaways from NBA's second night of action

1. Paolo Banchero may be making the leap

The Orlando Magic forward was already an All-Star and a member of Team USA's World Cup team, but he started his third NBA season with an impressive effort. In a 116-97 win over the Miami Heat, Banchero scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, racking up a staggering +42 plus/minus for the game.

While Banchero only had three assists, this behind-the-back dish might have been his most impressive play of the game, even on a night where he shot 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Orlando was a nice feel-good story, reaching the No. 5 seed last season, but if Banchero is reaching an All-NBA level, they're suddenly a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.

2. Cade Cunningham was great — for 41 minutes

Cade Cunningham looked awesome in his first game since signing a max extension this summer. For the first 41 minutes, Cunningham scored 26 points and dished eight assists while shooting 10-for-18 from the field. His Detroit Pistons led by eight points after three quarters and still clung to a two-point lead when Cunningham re-entered the game in the fourth. But then things fell apart.

It was a bad omen when Detroit drew a technical for having six players on the court when Cunningham entered. Cunningham went on to miss his final five shots of the game and didn't deliver an assist as the Indiana Pacers came back to win, 1115-109. Instead of an inspiring win over a playoff team, the game became just another Pistons collapse.

3. The Cavaliers don't miss Max Strus yet

Figuring out their small forward spot has been a constant problem for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That's why they gave Max Strus $63M last summer, only to see him sprain his ankle stepping on a coach's foot, which will keep him out for at least six weeks.

In the Cavs' first game, it was no problem. His replacements at the three — starter Dean Wade, Isaac Okoro and Caris Levert — combined to score 35 points on 14-for-19 shooting. They were a combined +41 in Cleveland's 136-109 win over the Toronto Raptors. While Toronto doesn't look like a good team, the Cavs may be well-suited to survive Strus' absence.

4. Steph Curry isn't declining yet

After a slow start, Steph Curry almost put up a triple-double in the Warriors' 139-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Curry put up a line of 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in 25 minutes. He made all three of his three-pointers and dished out three assists in a 27-13 third-quarter run that put the game away.

The other Warriors also shot well, going 20-for-48 from three-point range, including new Splash Brother Buddy Hield, who led the Warriors with 22 points. Even against the woeful Blazers, it's a strong start.

5. The Ball Brothers are back

Lonzo Ball played his first game in over 1,000 days in the Chicago Bulls' 123-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. On a minutes restriction, Ball finished with five points and four assists in his first regular-season action since a knee injury in Jan. 2022.

His younger brother had a more spectacular return from his own ankle injuries, which limited him to only 22 games last season. LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in the Charlotte Hornets' 110-105 comeback win over the Houston Rockets. Twelve points and four assists came in the final quarter after Charlotte trailed by 18 points.

6. Opening night was Dame Time

The Philadelphia 76ers were missing Joel Embiid and Paul George, but Damian Lillard had to be thrilled with his 30-point performance, including six threes, in the Milwaukee Bucks' 124-109 win. After a disappointing first season in Milwaukee ended with Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo injured in a first-round loss, Lillard showed he hasn't lost the ability to deliver offense from behind the arc.

7. New Orleans may be happy they held onto Brandon Ingram

While the Pelicans' Brandon Ingram spent the entire summer hearing his name in trade rumors, it didn't bother him starting his contract's final year. Playing without an ill Zion Williamson, Ingram put up 33 points, going 8-for-10 in the second half, and essentially ended the game with a late jumper.

8. ...but are in trouble without Dejounte Murray

New Orleans considerably upgraded its point guard position with an offseason trade that brought Dejounte Murray in. Murray delivered 10 assists in his Pelicans debut, 14 points and eight assists, but reportedly fractured his left hand. That will likely keep him out for 4-6 weeks, a tough blow for the Pelicans' playoff hopes on an otherwise encouraging night.

9. Ja Morant's return is huge for Memphis

Memphis has three rotation players out with injuries. Rookie Zach Edey fouled out in 15 minutes of play. But none of that mattered because Ja Morant was back.

Morant had 22 points and 10 assists in his return, holding off the Utah Jazz, 126-124, with a big bucket late and two big assists to Santi Aldama. While the Grizzlies wait to be at full strength again, they need Morant to help them steal early games like this.

10. James Harden did James Harden things in Intuit Dome opener

Without Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers offense revolved around James Harden in the opening game at the new Intuit Dome. Harden scored 29 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and gave out eight assists, leading the Clippers' third-quarter comeback. It was a classic Harden performance.

Especially at the end. With a chance to tie the game in overtime, Harden missed the second of two free throws. (Of course, Harden managed to draw a foul.) Then, trailing by three, Harden committed the last of his eight turnovers, losing control of the inbounds pass in the last seconds with a chance to tie. Phoenix held on to win, 116-113.

It's all we've come to expect from late-career Harden. Great passes and alley-oops. Drawing ridiculous fouls, including a three-shot foul on a three-point attempt. Shooting 36 percent from the field and, ultimately, falling short in the clutch. His building may be new, but the Clippers have the same old Harden.