5 Best performances from the first week of NBA action

No. 1 (tie) James Harden's 44 vs Portland Trail Blazers

Houston Rockets v Portland Trail Blazers

Another player whose efforts were in vain is James Harden, who dropped a whopping 44 points and made17 assists in his season debut against the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, Portland lost the game by 2 points in overtime.

James Harden finishes with 44 points and 17 assists. It's his 4th career game with 40 points & 15 assists. No other player has more than 2 games with 40-15 over the last 20 seasons pic.twitter.com/ysBOGuI0Og

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 27, 2020

James Harden was extremely clutch in this game, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime to give the Houston Rockets the lead. However, the Blazers' CJ McCollum's game-winner sealed Houston's fate.

No. 1 (tie) Ja Morant's 44 vs San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant dropped a career-high 44 points against the San Antonio Spurs in the season opener. Unfortunately, Morant's performance was unable to shift the momentum of the game as the Spurs led the entire second half.

Most PTS, season opener, 2nd year players:Elgin Baylor (MIN) 52 PTS, 1959Ja Morant (MEM) 44 PTS, TONIGHT!Walt Bellamy (CHI) 43 PTS, 1962Shaquille O'Neal (ORL) 42 PTS, 1993Wilt Chamberlain (PHI) 42 PTS, 1960Rick Barry (SF) 41 PTS, 1966Trae Young (ATL) 38 PTS, 2019 pic.twitter.com/gQatBItzzq

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 24, 2020

Ja Morant was one assist shy of a double-double and he also made two steals and blocked a shot. He tried his best to get the lead in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies were unable to answer back to the Spurs' runs.

No. 1 CJ McCollum's 44 vs Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets v Portland Trail Blazers

The only player on this list whose scoring led to victory is CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers. The game in which James Harden dropped 44 is the game CJ McCollum did so, too. Not only did he contribute huge numbers, but he also hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 10 secs left in overtime to cap the Portland Trail Blazers' win.

CJ McCollum 🔥44 PTS9 3PT (career-high)8 AST0 TO And the game winner! pic.twitter.com/N6I4w1VMGg

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 27, 2020

CJ McCollum shot 52% from beyond the arc and made a career-high nine 3-pointers. He was two assists shy of a double-double and also had three rebounds and a steal.

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