Basketball

Tony Brown always embraced a challenge. He worked his way through Clark Atlanta University, when there was no scholarship available to him.

WASHINGTON (AP) — About a week before the season even started, the city council in Washington weighed in on Bradley Beal's return to the Wizards. It made Oct. 11 “Bradley Beal Day” as a way of honoring his contributions to the community.

NEW YORK (AP) — Zion Williamson returned from a one-year absence with 25 points and nine rebounds, powering the New Orleans Pelicans to a season-opening 130-108 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. The No.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nobody is expecting much from the Utah Jazz. That’s just the way they want it. “We all have chips on our shoulders. Everyone here wants to show people that we’re a tough team,” Collin Sexton said.

PHOENIX (AP) — Damion Lee understands the final possession etiqutte in an NBA game, so the Phoenix Suns new role player passed the ball to Devin Booker with about 15 seconds left, expecting the All-Star guard to take the final shot.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rudy Gobert stood out on both ends of the floor — on a night when the Minnesota Timberwolves needed a big lift from their new big man.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jerami Grant converted a three-point play with 50.4 seconds to play to give Portland the lead and the Trail Blazers spoiled Mike Brown's coaching debut in Sacramento with a 113-108 win over the Kings on Wednesday night.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Toronto's all-star guard Fred VanVleet addressed delighted fans before tip-off at Wednesday's season opener, telling them: "Let's have some fun." The Raptors made sure they did.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 34 points and nine assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New York Knicks 115-112 in overtime on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.