NBA's stellar rookie class makes history with record scoring start
· Yahoo Sports
Draft analysts promised the NBA rookie class had the upside to be extremely special. Less than two weeks into the 2026-27 season, the league's top first-year players haven't just met expectations; many have become must-see television every night.
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Through the first 12 days of the season, the 2026 draft class has already made history, and based on the early returns, we could see many more first-year records fall. As OptaSTATS revealed, this group set the record for the most 30-plus-point games in October (the start of the new season), with five, surpassing four in 1979 and 1980.
Three players accounted for the five performances: Sacramento Kings No. 7 pick Darius Acuff (three times), Golden State Warriors No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg, and Caleb Wilson, whom the Chicago Bulls selected No. 4 overall.
There were five 30-point games by NBA rookies in October (Darius Acuff Jr. - 3, Yaxel Lendeborg, Caleb Wilson).
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) November 1, 2026
That is the most games with 30+ points by rookies in a single October in NBA history, besting four games in 1979 and 1980. pic.twitter.com/kX1kjSm2uw
The explosive scoring start is more than impressive on its own, but when you factor in how stellar the three names above, along with several additional rookies, have been, it only adds to the magnitude. Memphis Grizzlies standout Cam Boozer tallied a triple-double while leading his team to an unbeaten start, and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa has averaged 18.0 points in two games on 56.5% shooting after missing the start of the year due to injury.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA's stellar rookie class makes history with record scoring start