The NBA’s Nov. 2 slate gave rookies plenty of room to make noise, and a few first-year players took full advantage with big scoring nights, all-around production and, in one case, a first career start that stood out.
One of the strongest lines of the night belonged to the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who poured in a game-high 25 points against Dallas. He added six assists, five rebounds, a steal and five turnovers while going 10-of-21 from the field, 2-of-8 from deep and 3-of-4 at the line.
The No. 4 pick also delivered a well-rounded performance against New Orleans, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three turnovers. He shot 5-of-11 overall, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the free throw line.
Another top selection made his presence felt against Orlando. The top pick posted 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two turnovers, shooting 7-of-17 from the field, 1-of-4 from 3-point range and a perfect 6-of-6 from the stripe.
There were efficient outings, too. The No. 9 pick went 5-of-5 from the field and finished with 13 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal against Sacramento, while the No. 12 pick added 10 points, nine rebounds, a block and two turnovers on 5-of-7 shooting against Cleveland.
One of the night’s most eye-catching stat lines came from the No. 38 pick, who posted 19 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals, a block and five turnovers against Atlanta. He shot 8-of-13 from the field, 2-of-3 from long range and 1-of-2 at the line.
The No. 34 pick also turned in a strong scoring night, leading his team with 17 points against Oklahoma City. He added five rebounds, an assist and a steal while shooting 7-of-16 from the field and 3-of-9 from deep.
And then there was the No. 4 pick who led his team with 24 points against Philadelphia, along with seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and two turnovers. He finished 9-of-17 from the field, 4-of-9 from 3-point range and 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Monday’s rookie highlights also included multiple second-round picks, among them an impressive first career start for NCAA all-time assists leader Braden Smith. Second-round pick Meleek Thomas also got the start and led his team in scoring against a recent NBA champion.
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