Scottie Barnes enters Week 3 leading the rookie class in both scoring (18.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg).
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Friday, November 5
Cleveland at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. ET
In the first edition of the Kia Rookie Ladder, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley were ranked second and third, respectively, after both made strong first impressions in their first week in the NBA. Now, the two get to meet for the first time as pros when the Raptors host the Cavaliers on Friday. Entering the week, Barnes leads both the Raptors and the 2021-22 rookie class in both scoring (18.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg) and is shooting an impressive 55.1% from the field. Through seven games, Mobley is averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds (second among rookies), 1.1 steals and leads the rookie class with 1.4 blocks.
Saturday, November 6
Boston at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET
Two of the game’s most dynamic young scorers – Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Dallas’ Luka Doncic – meet for the first time this season as the Mavs host the Celtics. Last season, Tatum and Doncic tied for the fifth-most 40-point games in the league with seven apiece as both players can light it up on a moment’s notice. Tatum already has a 40-point game on the board this season – he scored 41 in Boston’s win at Charlotte on Oct. 25 – and enters Week 3 ranked sixth in the league in scoring at 26.7 ppg. In two games against the Celtics last season, Doncic averaged 33.5 points on 57.9% shooting from the field and a blistering 68.4% (13-19) from 3-point range.
Sunday, November 7
Charlotte at LA, 9:00 p.m. ET
We close out the week with a homecoming game for LaMelo Ball as the Chino Hills, CA native will be back in Los Angeles as the Hornets face the Clippers. Ball enters Week 3 as one of eight players averaging at least 18 points, six rebounds and six assists – it is a list that includes four former league Kia MVPs (Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden and Russell Westbrook). But the breakout star of the Hornets this season has been Miles Bridges, who is averaging a career-best 24.6 points through seven games. He’ll still dunk on anyone in the gym, but he has shown a greater versatility to his offense so far this season. On the other side will be Paul George, who is one of two players – along with Curry – with multiple 40-point games already this season. Through five games played, George ranks fourth in the league in scoring at 27.6 ppg – his highest average since joining the Clippers in 2019.
