In one of the most exciting matchups to open the 2026-27 NBA season, Duke alumni Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. faced off against their schoolmate Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks.
Beginning with Orlando, Banchero got off to a hot start and eventually finished as the game's highest scorer, tallying 35 points to go along with 10 assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Carter Jr. was quite efficient as well, posting 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting in addition to seven rebounds and one steal.
While Johnson didn't match the numbers of his fellow Blue Devils, he and the Hawks were able to earn a seven-point victory (132-125). The former No. 20 overall pick finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.
As for another Duke alum, RJ Barrett,
he helped propel the Raptors to the most lopsided victory of the early season. Barrett scored 20 points with four rebounds and three assists as Toronto earned a 43-point win over the Chicago Bulls.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke in the NBA: Jalen Johnson and Paolo Banchero square off
