The Sixers began their campaign with title aspirations and while they might be forgiven for defeats to heavyweights Boston and Milwaukee, their latest loss will have alarm bells ringing for Doc Rivers, who has not coached a team to a 0-3 start since the 2011-12 season.

A strong showing from MVP candidate Joel Embiid (40 points, 13 rebounds) and a near triple-double from veteran James Harden couldn't rescue the Sixers in a 114-105 loss as the marquee men had too little help from their teammates.

Philadelphia's bench was outscored 40-10 by a San Antonio team tipped to struggle this season because of an inexperienced roster.

The Sixers came up with some weak defence while the game was in the balance late and will be desperate to avoid a fourth straight loss when they meet the Indiana Pacers.

Australian Matisse Thybulle again played limited minutes for the Sixers.

Josh Giddey's second double-double in as many games to start the season was not enough to prevent the Oklahoma City Thunder from falling to the Denver Nuggets 122-117.

Giddey again led his teammates for rebounds (12) but lacked their precision from the field, shooting seven from 16 at 43.8 per cent accuracy.

In his first home game since tearing his ACL in April 2021, Denver's Jamal Murray had 16 points and five assists, while Nikola Jokic drew level with Wilt Chamberlain on 78 career triple-doubles - the sixth most of any player in NBA history.

Giannis Antetokounmpo exploded with 44 points for Milwaukee in their 125-105 defeat of the Houston Rockets.

The aptly nicknamed "Greek Freak" has only scored more points in a game on nine occasions and has never been so prolific against the Rockets.

The Bucks left the floor to a standing ovation from their home fans.

A first-quarter masterclass from Luka Doncic laid the groundwork for the Dallas Mavericks to burst the Memphis Grizzlies' bubble after their 2-0 start and claim a big 137-96 win.

Doncic scored all of the Mav's first nine points with 100 per cent accuracy from the field and finished the term with 21 points - more than the entire Grizzlies team.

It took seven-and-a-half minutes for a Grizzlies player other than Ja Morant to score a point as coach Taylor Jenkins called three timeouts in 15 minutes to start the game.

Australian Associated Press