The NBA couldn’t have started the Christmas games better, as the clash between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks turned into an epic battle full of individualism and excitement.

Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old superstar who was named rookie of the year last season, scored 42 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, had four assists and knocked down four shots in his Christmas Day debut.

The performance underlined how good the idea was to put the Spurs on the schedule as part of the first game and give European viewers a chance to see the 7-foot-4 center completely dominate the opponent.

However, the Knicks had an ace up their sleeve in Mikal Bridges, who exploded to score 41 points, including 6 of 9 from 3-point territory. In a game that never had a 10-point lead and swung back and forth, the Knicks took the 117-114 win in one of the most entertaining games of the season.

Let’s move on to some thoughts and observations:

New York Knicks 117, San Antonio Spurs 114

• Are we sure Wembanyama isn’t a top 5 player? That doesn’t mean he definitely is, but we have to get there. Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all ahead, and by a reasonable margin. From then on there is at least debate. Many will argue that Jayson Tatum should be ahead of Wembanyama, and it’s certainly a fair name to call him, but that too requires some discussion.

• Jalen Brunson’s post game remains underrated, especially as a playmaker. Despite his 6-1 statistic, Brunson is strong enough to maintain his position, stay on top of things, and use his points to optimize his options. Having Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby flanking the outside to improve spacing only gives the All-Star point guard more options.

• Bridges might have changed his shot, much to the initial concern of NBA fans and pundits everywhere, but the Ironman spent the entire game throwing that skepticism back in everyone’s faces. His movements, which have a higher release point than before, have become much more fluid in recent weeks and he catches and shoots with ease. This has allowed Bridges to once again become one of the best plug-and-play players in the league.

• Jeremy Sochan’s future as a full-time power forward in San Antonio isn’t necessarily set in stone due to his shooting concerns. However, if the Spurs decide to find someone else for the position at some point, they shouldn’t be too quick to pass on him. Sochan’s defense, rebounding, playmaking and tireless probing of opposing defenses are immensely valuable, as is his positional flexibility, which could make him the league’s best super-substitute player if they ever go in that direction.

Minnesota Timberwolves 105, Dallas Mavericks 99

Luka Dončić left the game after 16 minutes with a calf strain, ending his Christmas Day game early. According to ESPN, the Mavs expect him to miss significant time.

The second biggest story, however, is how the Mavericks were able to build back the lead after trailing by 28 in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to two late in the fourth quarter, showing some much-needed life after the dismal second and third quarters. This was thanks in large part to Kyrie Irving, who scored 39 points

• Minnesota’s upside is at an all-time high when the ball is popping and guys are making shots. Unfortunately, a three-quarters sample size isn’t particularly useful, but if the Wolves can find a way to make that a starting point, it would only help them regain some of their dominance from last season.

• Dallas entered this game with the fourth-best offense in the league, but the loss of Dončić obviously affected their offensive flow. Irving is indeed a worthy second option, but the importance changes dramatically when Dončić is not on the field due to his elite play. Irving, one of the league’s best scorers, isn’t necessarily an elite passer, and his lack of size doesn’t draw the same defensive attention. If Dončić is out for a while, Dallas will likely have to lean on an Irving hero ball.

• Julius Randle’s impact changes dramatically when he plays in the flow of the offense compared to when he doesn’t. Which is often the case. Against Dallas, Randle was more selective with his shots, tried to attack the rim and often hit Rudy Gobert in traffic, including a strong lob midway through the third quarter. Minnesota’s offense looks worlds better when it gets this version of Randle, which begs the question: Can the Wolves count on the former All-Star to replicate that performance for the rest of the season? If not, the Wolves may want to lower their expectations.

• The defensive play of Dereck Lively II, who is only 20 years old, will give the Mavericks a lot of fun in the coming years. At 7-1, Lively moves like a winger. He can guard and recover, play passing lanes, protect the rim and should eventually become an all-defensive player. This Swiss Army Knife, with a little more seasoning, could be a huge asset for the Mavericks down the line, especially if he starts to balance his defense with a little more offensive creation.

Philadelphia 76ers 118, Boston Celtics 114

The Sixers, playing exclusively with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, played their best half of the season and took a 66-58 lead over the Celtics. Philly excelled with timely shots, effective defense and a varied shooting profile that clearly showcased Daryl Morey’s vision.

The Sixers’ offense stalled in the third quarter when Jaylen Brown – who had a terrible first half – got back to his feet and gave the Celtics a boost by pushing his way to the rim.

Ultimately, the Sixers did the unexpected and picked up the win, with Caleb Martin playing a key role down the stretch, hitting seven triples and scoring 23 points. Maxey added 33 points and 12 assists.

• During the pregame shootaround, Embiid stumbled and appeared to twist his ankle. Luckily he was fine and playing. But this presents another strange situation where Embiid’s body is always in danger in one way or another. He has treated several rare facial injuries as well as Bell’s palsy. Every Sixers season seems to be overshadowed by the former MVP’s health, and at some point you have to wonder how much longer the organization can continue on this path.

• The Celtics concede a lot of 3-point shots. They do it because it works, and it helped them win a championship in early June. At no point should the franchise course correct and limit its attempts from outside. But the Celtics should be aware that the teams around them are catching up in attempts, potentially reducing their advantage. They have games where they should look for more pops of color (which can also lead to open threes) to diversify their shot profile, and this was one of them.

• Paul George has yet to find his role in Philadelphia, as the 34-year-old averaged just 16.2 points on 41% shooting and shot just 4 of 15 against Boston. The former All-Star had to adjust to a lot of different looks, with Embiid being in and out of the lineup, and rookie Jared McCain, a big shot shooter, also missing. As the calendar turns to 2025, the focus for the Sixers for the remainder of the season needs to be getting George more involved.

• Brown found himself in a strange situation in the first half. The Celtics let their ball movement dictate the action, meaning the pecking order can change on a nightly basis, which appears to be a situation where Brown is struggling to find his own shots. The Finals MVP isn’t a natural shooter, nor is he an all-around defender or playmaker, meaning he sometimes struggles to adapt. Still, Brown found a way to get going in the second half. It took him briefly monopolizing the offense – something most teams want to avoid. For Boston, this might seem like an investment that it may need to focus more on. The three-ball and ball movement are always a component the Celtics can fall back on, but getting Brown going and finding a rhythm is so crucial to their playoff success that getting the best of both might be the best way to go to bring out worlds.