UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers had little trouble winning their season opener while guard Ben Simmons stayed home.
Joel Embiid and Furkan Korkmaz each scored 22 points as the Sixers coasted to a 117-97 win at New Orleans. Embiid also finished with 12 rebounds and Korkmaz drained four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Philadelphia pull away.
Korkmaz nailed three 3s in less than a minute to put the Sixers up, 92-79. That was part of a 20-2 run that iced the victory.
The Sixers traveled without Simmons, who was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
In Wednesday’s other NBA action:
— Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had 27 points on 13 of 22 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds in leading the Nuggets past the Suns, 110-98. Will Barton scored 20 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 15 to help the Nuggets avenge their playoff series loss to the Suns last season. Mikal Bridges led Phoenix with 16 points, while Chris Paul had 15 with 10 assists.
— The Jazz opened with a 107-86 rout of the Thunder as Rudy Gobert contributed 16 points and 21 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic led Utah with 22 points and Jordan Clarkson added 18.
— The Knicks and Celtics opened their seasons by playing double overtime before New York eked out a 138-134 victory. Former Celtic Evan Fournier hit four 3-pointers in the overtime and finished with 32 points. Julius Randle had a team-high 35 points to help the Knicks overcome Jaylen Brown’s career-high 46 points for Boston.
— Harrison Barnes furnished 36 points and De’Aaron Fox added 27 for the Kings in a 124-121 victory over the Trail Blazers. Richaun Holmes had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.
— Bradley Beal scored 23 points and Montrezl Harrell had 22 in his Wizards debut to lead a 98-83 victory over Toronto, spoiling the Raptors’ return to Canada. Kyle Kuzma had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Wizards, who led by as many as 29 in winning Wes Unseld Jr.’s first game as an NBA head coach.
— Ja Morant had 37 points and the Grizzlies pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Cavaliers, 132-121. De’Anthony Melton added 20 points and Memphis opened the final period on a 10-0 run to go ahead by 14.
— The Spurs crushed the Magic, 123-97 as Devin Vassell scored 19 points and Lonnie Walker added 17. Derrick White had 16 points for San Antonio, which is 23-2 in season openers under coach Gregg Popovich.
— The Timberwolves were 124-106 winners over the Rockets behind Anthony Edwards’ 29 points in 31 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns furnished 30 points and 10 rebounds to the victory, while D’Angelo Russell added 22 points and seven assists.
— LaMelo Ball drained seven 3-pointers while scoring 31 points as the Hornets rallied past the Pacers, 123-122. Indiana led, 84-63 until Ball scored 10 points during a 24-0 spurt.
— Zach LaVine scored 15 of his 34 points in the third quarter to lead the Bulls to a 94-88 victory over the Pistons. DeMar DeRozan had 17 points, and Lonzo Ball had 12 points in their Bulls debut.
