Spanish basketball players Sergio de Larrea and Baba Miller officially entered the NBA ranks after making their regular-season debuts during a busy night of fixtures. The two countrymen stepped onto the court in early-season matchups on Thursday, October 22, marking a new chapter for Spanish representation in the league.
De Larrea logged 6 minutes and 51 seconds of playing time for the Dallas Mavericks in their 128-110 defeat against the Houston Rockets. The point guard from Valladolid finished his first outing scoreless after missing his only three-point attempt, though he managed to pull down two rebounds and dish out one assist while finishing with a minus-14 plus-minus rating. According to league records, De Larrea entered the contest with 4 minutes and 8 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, recording his first official action with an offensive rebound and later notionalizing his first assist before halftime on a pass to Naji Marshall. His appearance makes him the 21st Spanish player to debut in the NBA.
The Mavericks struggled as the game broke open in the second quarter, which the Rockets claimed by a 38-12 margin to build a commanding 70-38 halftime lead. Houston was propelled by Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., who scored 30 points apiece, alongside Alperen Sengun’s 23 points and 10 rebounds. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg put up 32 points, while Kyrie Irving contributed 15 points in his return to the floor following a 597-day absence due to injury. Meanwhile, fellow Spaniard Santi Aldama remained inactive for the Mavericks as he continues his recovery from right knee surgery.
Across the league, compatriot Baba Miller enjoyed a more productive stat line in his debut for Los Angeles Clippers, who secured a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Miller logged 9 minutes and 23 seconds of action, contributing four points on two-for-two shooting from the field, three rebounds, and one assist, resulting in a plus-4 rating. His highlights included a fourth-quarter dunk following a pick-and-roll play with Darius Garland, who led the Clippers with 30 points. Miller’s appearance marks him as the 22nd Spanish player to feature in an NBA regular-season game.
Elsewhere on opening night, Luka Doncic spearheaded the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-105 blowout win over the Golden State Warriors. Doncic played 29 minutes and 42 seconds, posting 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists with a plus-31 rating, resting out the entire fourth quarter. Newcomer Walker Kessler added 26 points and nine rebounds on flawless twelve-for-twelve shooting, and Austin Reaves chipped in 23 points.
The schedule moves forward quickly for the Spanish newcomers. The Dallas Mavericks and De Larrea visit the Indiana Pacers, while Miller and the Clippers prepare for a crosstown showdown against Doncic and the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena.
