Proctor debuts early as Cavs battle the Knicks

• Tyrese Proctor, Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey and Jock Landale headline the Aussies in action on day two of NBA tip-off
• Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks) and Josh Green (Charlotte Hornets) are both out with injury
• How to watch every 2025-26 NBA game in Australia
• Aussies everywhere: Our NBA season preview

NBA tip-off's day two is the day for Aussies with 13 of our homegrown talents, if you include the injured Dante Exum and Josh Green, in action as one of the most anticipated seasons in league history starts.

From Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey taking the court fresh off both signing $100m extensions with the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls respectively, to Tyrese Proctor making his debut and Boomers big man Jock Landale starting for a new-look Memphis Grizzlies side - it's a big moment for so many of our local stars.

Basketball.com.au will have rolling coverage of the games featuring Aussies and keep an eye on our social pages, especially @bouncepass on Instagram for updates and highlights from today's action.

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Sydney-born point guard Tyrese Proctor earned early minutes in his debut for the championship-contending Cleveland Cavaliers as they took on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The former Duke Blue Devil started the second quarter and played six straight minutes, showing the faith coach Kenny Atkinson has in the rookie.

In his time, Proctor impressed with two assists to veteran stretch big Larry Nance Jr for consecutive three-point baskets. He also grabbed one rebound and played physical defence, which resulted in two fouls.

Most of all, Proctor was a +4 in his opening minutes but the Cavaliers struggled against the Knicks on the road, trailing 65-50 at half-time against last season's Eastern Conference runners-up.

But Cleveland made a comeback in the third with Proctor earning more minutes and hitting a three mid-way through the quarter for his first NBA basket as the Cavaliers tied the scores up at the final break following a dominant 37-22 period.

The Knicks responded in front of their home fans, putting together a 32-24 quarter to finish with a 119-111 victory.

Proctor - who is part of a stacked guard rotation for Cleveland that also features Lonzo Ball - finished with five points, two assists and one rebound in his 16 minutes.

Former NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti started for the Knicks, playing 18 minutes for two points, five rebounds and two assists.

Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets

Aussie swingman Josh Green missed Charlotte's season opener with a shoulder injury.

The Boomers small forward and 'three-and-d' specialist had surgery in June and is believed to be a chance of playing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Charlotte beat Brooklyn 136-117 with former NBL Next Star, LaMelo Ball, recording 20 points, eight assists and two rebounds in the win.

Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons

Josh Giddey has already shown why the Chicago Bulls signed him to a four-year, USD $100m extension this offseason after dominating the first half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center.

The 6'8" point guard had 12 points, six assists and two rebounds as the Bulls held a 65-49 advantage at half-time.

Showing signs of improvement with his perimeter shot, Giddey also went 1-from-1 from the three-point line in the first half and was a +15 for the home side.

Detroit fought back in the second half, tying the third quarter at 30 points each before putting together a dominant 32-21 last period to put a scare into the Bulls at home. But the Bulls made enough plays down the stretch to escape with a 115-111 win in their season opener.

Giddey finished with 19 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. He also shot 8-from-11 from the free-throw line but will aim to take better care of the ball going forward after turning the ball over six times against Detroit.

Nikola Vucevic was the standout for the Bulls with 28 points and 14 rebounds while second-year player Matas Buzelis had 21. Cade Cunningham had 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Pistons.

Chicago also feature former Illawarra Hawk Lachlan Olbrich, who is on a two-way deal and didn't suit up, as well as Australian assistant coach Damian Cotter.

Atlanta Hawks vs Toronto Raptors

It hasn't been a season opener to remember for Dyson Daniels and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.

Daniels, who last week signed an extension with the Hawks after a memorable first season with the franchise where he won the NBA's Most Improved Player, had five fouls in his first 12 minutes on court and struggled to make an impact.

The Raptors were all over the Hawks in the third quarter, winning the period 45-28, to extend their lead beyond 20.

Daniels managed to avoid fouling out but still had a game to forget with just four points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals and three turnovers in 23 minutes as the Hawks fell to Toronto 138-118.

The Raptors did it by committee with three players scoring above 20 points, led by RJ Barrett with 25 points as well as eight rebounds and five assists.

Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans

New team and new opportunities for Australian Boomers big man Jock Landale.

The man, who spent the past two seasons as the third-string centre with the Houston Rockets, started for the Memphis Grizzlies in their season opener against the Pelicans with first-choice big Zach Edey out for several weeks with injury.

New Orleans also get their season started, fresh off a trip to Australia where they took on NBL clubs, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Pelicans looked the better team after the first half, jumping out to a 67-56 advantage.

But Landale and the Grizzlies battled their way back in the third with a dominant 41-22 quarter to lead by eight points.

The Pelicans responded in the fourth but the deficit proved too much to overcome as Landale recorded his first win as a member of the Grizzlies, who finished with a 128-122 victory. The former Melbourne United big man fouled out but had 10 points, four rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes, going 3-from-7 from the field and 1-from-3 from the three-point line.

Ja Morant led the way for Memphis with 35 points while Zion Williamson had 27 points for New Orleans.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves

After an interrupted 2024-25 season due to a severe ankle injury, Olympic bronze medallist with the Australian Boomers Matisse Thybulle was back at it for the Portland Trail Blazers in their season opener at the Moda Center against former Boomers teammate Joe Ingles and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In 14 minutes, Thybulle had two points, two assists and two steals as the Trail Blazers almost pulled off an upset against last year's Western Conference runners-up in the Timberwolves.

A 30-19 final quarter was the catalyst for Minnesota's victory after Portland were the better side for most of the first three periods.

Ingles, an Australian basketball legend who played at five Olympic Games, was a DNP Coach's Decision while Timberwolves rookie and two-way big man Rocco Zikarsky didn't suit up.

Portland's other Aussie, Duop Reath, was also a DNP Coach's Decision.