NBA scores 2016: The Spurs ruin Kevin Durant’s debut by dominating Warriors

Kevin Durant’s first game in the Bay was supposed to signal the beginning of a season-long coronation for the Warriors. Their opening night slot against the Spurs served as a showcase game for Golden State to flex its new muscle and scare the rest of the league straight.

That didn’t happen. Instead, it was the trusty old San Antonio Spurs who came out and delivered a devastating 129-100 knockout punch to shock the Golden State crowd. San Antonio out-rebounded the Warriors by 20 (55-35), forced Golden State into 16 turnovers, and looked like the league’s real three-point darlings by canning 12 shots from behind the arc at a 50 percent clip.

While everyone was fixated on Durant, it was Kawhi Leonard who stole the show. Leonard posted a career-high 35 points and added five steals in a performance that again reminded us he’s one of the NBA’s best players. LaMarcus Aldridge also added 26 points in the win, but the player everyone is talking about is likely someone most fans have never heard of.

Jonathon Simmons was sensational for the Spurs off the bench. The 27-year-old wing finished with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from three. He also made the most eye-popping play of the night with his chase-down block of Steph Curry:

Three years ago, Simmons paid the Spurs’ D-League affiliate $150 to try out for them. He was on the brink of quitting the game. Then he caught his big break at Las Vegas Summer League a year ago, and was able to stick on the Spurs roster to appear in 55 games. No one could have predicted his breakthrough on Monday.

This was a shocking result in every way. The Warriors didn’t lose at home until April 1 last season. The Spurs were opening their first season without Tim Duncan since 1997. As the Warriors added an MVP, San Antonio’s most notable offseason addition was 36-year-old Pau Gasol, who finished with just two points in 18 minutes.

Durant (27 points) and Curry (26 points) were both excellent offensively, but it didn’t matter. The Spurs turned this game into a blowout early and Golden State couldn’t recover. At least for a night, the Warriors didn’t look like the superteam they were purported to be.

LeBron James is still in his prime

There will come a time when LeBron James loses a step, when he can’t simply step onto an NBA floor and dominate every facet of the game like he has for the past 13 years. That time is not here yet and it may not come for a while. James was fantastic the Cavaliers’ 117-88 beatdown of the Knicks, posting an easy triple-double in 32 minutes.

James finished with 19 points (on 9-of-14 shooting), 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. He flushed home several thunderous dunks that worked the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy, but the most impressive aspect of his night was his passing. James is simply on another level as a basketball mind and it showed in several stunning assists.

The scary thing is James easily could have finished with more than 14 assists if his teammates didn’t miss some open looks.

James has earned a reputation for coasting during the regular season as he’s aged, but there’s no question he was locked in on the night the Cavs received their rings. He’s still the most breathtaking athlete in the sport when he’s got it going.

“Lillard Time” is here to stay

While the rest of the country was watching Warriors-Spurs, Damian Lillard was putting on a show in Portland. Lillard exploded against the Utah Jazz for 39 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

With Portland clinging to a four-point lead late, Lillard hit this clutch three-pointer to secure the 113-104 victory.

Lillard may be getting a lot of praise for his recent rap album, but it’s important to remember the man can play a little basketball, too. C.J. McCollum also chipped in 25 points for the Trail Blazers, while Allen Crabbe added 18 points off the bench.

The Jazz may be a trendy pick for breakout team this year, but Portland had the upper hand on opening night. Now let’s see what happens if Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are healthy the next time these teams play.

5 other fun things

The Cavs have the biggest championship rings we’ve ever seen

Andre Iguodala had the first egregiously bad flop of the season

Gregg Popovich said he’s going to fine Tim Duncan $2,500 per day for every day he doesn’t show up to work

Cavs fans stuck around the arena to watch the Indians win Game 1 of the World Series

The Warriors and Spurs came together for a touching Craig Sager tribute

Utah lost, but Rodney Hood was outstanding, pouring in 26 points in the season opener. He also had the first big dunk of the season.

Cavaliers 117, Knicks 88 (Fear the Sword recap | Toasting and Posting recap)

Trail Blazers 113, Jazz 104 (SLC Dunk recap | Blazer’s Edge recap)

Spurs 129, Warriors 100 (Pounding the Rock recap | Golden State of Mind recap)