As Victor Wembanyama makes his MSG debut, revisiting memorable first NBA games at the venue

NBA Stars Opening Act: 8 Debut Performances at Madison Square Garden

By Alex Andrejev, James Jackson and Joe Vardon

Get ready to witness the impact of the old and the new in a collision this Wednesday at Madison Square Garden as the much-hyped rookie Victor Wembanyama is set to make his first NBA appearance at the league’s oldest arena. At 7:30 p.m. ET, Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will take on the Knicks in what is expected to be a historic debut at MSG.

Madison Square Garden has been the site of some of the most iconic sports moments, including the 1994 Stanley Cup Final victory by the New York Rangers, the 15-round “Fight of the Century” between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, and the Knicks’ 1970 NBA championship win over the Los Angeles Lakers. With Wembanyama, the highly-touted No. 1 pick, set to hit the MSG stage, we recall some of the incredible debut performances of stars who have left a lasting legacy in the NBA.

Note: The Madison Square Garden debuts by Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson took place at the old Garden on 50th and 8th Avenue. The current MSG opened in 1968, where the Knicks currently play.

Wilt Chamberlain — Oct. 24, 1959
In his NBA debut, Chamberlain made quite an impact with 43 points and 28 rebounds for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the Knicks at the old MSG. Chamberlain went on to become a 13-time NBA All-Star and won the Rookie of the Year award.

Oscar Robertson — Dec. 6, 1960
Robertson showcased his skills in his debut by scoring 28 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists in a game against the Knicks. He went on to win the 1961 NBA Rookie of the Year award, setting the stage for a highly successful career in the league.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — Nov. 1, 1969
The legendary center scored 36 points and secured 27 rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks in his MSG debut. A 19-time NBA All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his rookie season.

Magic Johnson — Feb. 5, 1980
Johnson recorded a triple-double in his debut at MSG, leading the Lakers to a victory over the Knicks with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. He went on to become a five-time NBA champion and a 12-time NBA All-Star.

Michael Jordan — Nov. 8, 1984
In his MSG debut, Jordan put up a stellar performance with 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks for the Chicago Bulls, securing a win over the Knicks. Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Hakeem Olajuwon — Feb. 14, 1985
Olajuwon made his presence known with 30 points, 25 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in his first game at Madison Square Garden as the Houston Rockets defeated the Knicks. He became a 12-time NBA All-Star and won two NBA championships during his illustrious career.

Allen Iverson — Nov. 12, 1996
Iverson showcased his scoring prowess in his MSG debut by leading the 76ers with 35 points against the Knicks. Ranked No. 40 on The Athletic’s NBA 75 list, Iverson averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season.

Tim Duncan — March 31, 1998
Duncan impressed with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in a San Antonio Spurs win in his first regular-season game at Madison Square Garden. He went on to become a 15-time NBA All-Star and a Spurs legend.

These debut performances at MSG set the stage for the remarkable careers of these NBA legends, leaving a lasting impact on the league. Each of their iconic first appearances at Madison Square Garden have contributed to the rich history of the NBA.

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Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.