We’re one week into the 2025-26 NBA season, and there are already loads of intriguing storylines to observe.
Off the court docket, the league has been shaken by investigations associated to unlawful sports activities betting and rigged poker video games. On the court docket, accidents and shocking surges have dominated the primary week. Following 40-point performances from the Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves on Monday, there have now been 16 40-point video games, probably the most by the primary seven days of a season in league historical past.
Amid the chaos, our reporters and analysts took a have a look at what has shocked them probably the most to date, some daring predictions for the remainder of the season and which stars are rising. Our reporters additionally answered the largest questions dealing with the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and 6 different groups within the early going.
Let’s break down one of the best and worst from the opening days of the season.
Soar to a crew query:
ATL | DAL | GS | HOU
LAL | MIL | NY | OKC | SA
What has shocked you most to date?
Brian Windhorst: I’ve seen famous person gamers take leaps of their third seasons. LeBron James completed second within the MVP vote in his third yr. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the playoffs for the primary time. Kobe Bryant made his first All-NBA crew. The checklist goes on. However what Victor Wembanyama has displayed is subsequent degree.
He has determined, on his personal, and that could be a key element, that he is executed bailing out groups by hoisting 3s. Sure, the world is aware of he isn’t a “heart,” and do not ask how tall he really is. He is a basketball participant. He is a basketball participant who, with each big step he takes towards the basket, will increase an unstoppable benefit.
Wembanyama going from practically 9 3-point makes an attempt per sport to lower than three is transformational. He is already a generational defensive expertise. Now, he’s on the cusp of being one of many league’s greatest offensive gamers.
Zach Kram: It usually takes time for rookies to regulate to the NBA sport, however the 2025 draft class appears to be like unbelievable within the early going — and that is even earlier than No. 1 choose Cooper Flagg absolutely finds his NBA footing.
At the least a dozen rookies have already made a constructive impression for his or her groups, starting from excessive lottery picks Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel to second-rounders Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Will Richard. (Sure, there are three Charlotte Hornets on that checklist.) Cedric Coward was probably the greatest gamers within the league at any expertise degree throughout the first week. NBA followers ought to be thrilled to observe these kids’ growth over the remainder of this season and past.
Tim Bontemps: The 76ers and the Chicago Bulls — the 2 East groups everybody predicted could be undefeated per week into the season.
Philadelphia is 4-0 regardless of Paul George (knee) and Jared McCain (thumb) lacking all three video games and Joel Embiid (knee harm administration) sitting out Monday in opposition to Orlando, and Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe could be probably the most thrilling backcourt within the league. Chicago, in the meantime, has not solely began 3-0, however has executed so by profitable in opposition to groups anticipated to be within the high six within the East (the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Hawks).
Now, I do not count on the Sixers and Bulls to be competing for home-court benefit within the East. Philadelphia’s going to be enjoyable to observe, however its lack of dimension up entrance, plus the continuing uncertainty round Embiid and George, goes to meet up with it will definitely. And Chicago is clearly fated to win 39 to 40 video games — just like the Bulls are each season. However it’s been a really enjoyable begin in each locations for groups that did not enter the season with a lot, if any, pleasure round them, making for an enormous shock to start out the season.
Kevin Pelton: Of the 4 unbeaten groups coming into play on Tuesday, three had been within the lottery 5 months in the past. It isn’t terribly shocking that the Spurs have began 4-0, given their weak early schedule (4 video games in opposition to 2025 lottery groups) and Wembanyama’s early success, however the 76ers have not wanted a lot contribution from Embiid of their robust begin, and the Bulls have already knocked off two aspiring East contenders.
Extra usually, as Todd Whitehead of Sportradar identified Tuesday, final season’s backside 12 groups had a greater report by the primary week than the highest 18 from a season in the past. A few of that’s schedule-related. Due to marquee nationwide TV video games, contenders usually tend to play one another early, leaving current lottery groups simpler slates. Even accounting for that, there was sudden parity.
Bobby Marks: Accidents. The common season had not even began, and the Memphis Grizzlies had been already in place to use for a 10-day hardship exception. With Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome lacking three consecutive video games and out a minimum of one other two weeks, Memphis signed Charles Bassey to the exception, the earliest a participant has signed because the 1999-2000 season.
In the meantime, the Indiana Pacers had been already with out Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) to start out the season, then misplaced starters Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard and reserves Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter to accidents within the first two video games. To make issues worse, sixth man Obi Toppin left the sport early on Sunday with a proper hamstring harm. Indiana signed slam dunk champion Mac McClung, however at the price of waiving heart James Wiseman.
The Lakers had simply seven wholesome gamers on customary contracts of their loss to the Portland Path Blazers on Monday. Mockingly, the defending champion Thunder lead all groups with probably the most missed video games. As well as, 11 gamers, together with Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Inexperienced, are out with hamstring accidents.
What’s entrance of thoughts within the league workplace per week into the season?
Windhorst: The playing expenses are distracting, and the league is starting the method of taking a look at additional overhauling its injury-reporting techniques.
That is going to be disagreeable. Some groups and coaches are going to kick and scream about it, however they are going to need to drop the veil and report harm statuses when choices are made, not when it is strategically most popular. You may have a Ted Speak concerning the proliferation of playing and its impact (together with on those that ultimately turn out to be professional athletes), and it is a difficult subject. Of the current allegations, insider buying and selling on harm data, versus the unlawful and rigged poker ring, is one thing the league can far more instantly and successfully deal with.
What’s one preseason prediction you’d wish to revise?
Kram: With two of their greatest guards and facilities injured to start out the season, I assumed the Grizzlies could be doomed to endure one other misplaced season. The competitors within the West is so excessive that I foresaw Memphis falling behind early and never having sufficient time or expertise to make its manner again into the play-in image.
However the Grizzlies have performed stable basketball to this point, and Coward appears to be like like a rising star. So long as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. keep wholesome, Memphis might — on the very least — tread water and keep aggressive till the reinforcements arrive in one other month or two.
1:18
Why Stephen A. must see extra from Anthony Davis
Stephen A. Smith calls on Anthony Davis to step up for the Mavericks after their loss to the Spurs.
What’s a daring prediction you’d wish to make after seeing per week of video games?
Bontemps: The Mavericks are going to overlook the playoffs.
The speculation coming into the season was that Dallas’ protection would carry it whereas it waited for a possible Kyrie Irving return. However by this opening week, the protection has seemed removed from formidable, and the shortage of perimeter capturing and shot creation has been the issue it was anticipated to be. That is a nasty mixture in a loaded Western Convention, one which has the Spurs wanting like they are going to impress (and surpass my expectations, amongst others) and loads of different competitors to take care of.
What’s probably the most attention-grabbing early-season pattern you’ve got seen?
Pelton: Free throw charges are by the roof. The 27.7 free throws per sport — six greater than final season — could be probably the most since 1990-91, if maintained. These final two phrases are key. Free throws usually go down over the course of the season, with a median drop of 1.5 per sport from the primary week to the ultimate common throughout the previous decade.
Past that, as gamers alter to how referees are calling the sport, free throw charges are likely to regress towards the everyday common (about 22 per sport in current seasons). There is no purpose to count on whistles to proceed so ceaselessly. Nonetheless, they’ve had a large impression on the excessive scoring to this point, together with greater than twice as many gamers scoring 40 factors as we would ever seen within the first week of the season, per ESPN Analysis. These outings have featured a median of 13.1 free throw makes an attempt.
What is the one contract scenario followers ought to hold a detailed eye on?
Marks: Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell. Sure, there have been solely 4 regular-season video games, however he has already outplayed the three-year, $8.7 million contract he signed in July (the final yr is a crew choice). Mitchell is averaging 18.3 factors this season and scored a career-high 26 in opposition to Indiana. Per Cleansing the Glass, Oklahoma Metropolis is a plus-5.9 factors per 100 possessions when he’s on the court docket.
Mitchell’s contract and on-court impression are essential as a result of Oklahoma Metropolis is a projected second-apron crew subsequent season. That is the primary yr the rookie max extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will kick in. — Marks
Which rookie has shocked you probably the most within the first week?
Jeremy Woo: Primarily based on the very small pattern, it is Coward. He performed solely six video games at Washington State final season earlier than getting injured — earlier than that, he spent two years at Japanese Washington — so to hit the bottom working like this with minimal high-level basketball underneath his belt at age 22 is particular stuff.
Will Coward shoot 70% from the sphere perpetually? Will he flip it over 0.25 instances per sport the remainder of the season? No. His breakout 27-point sport got here in opposition to the closely undermanned Pacers. However the Grizzlies seem to have made a shrewd sequence of strikes by dealing away Desmond Bane, then concentrating on Coward as his youthful alternative with a less expensive contract. It isn’t simple in any way to slip proper into the beginning lineup and play at that degree. This definitely bodes effectively.
Extra questions from across the NBA
How lengthy might it take for the brand new Hawks roster to mesh?
Ohm Youngmisuk: The Hawks had been demolished by the Toronto Raptors on opening night time 138-118. Afterward, Trae Younger mentioned the crew lacked cohesion as a result of the principle rotation had barely performed collectively in preseason video games.
The Hawks have handled accidents and sickness to starters comparable to Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like signs), Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and Jalen Johnson (ankle). Younger wants extra time to develop chemistry with the crew’s new additions.
Quin Snyder is making an attempt to get his crew to run and push the ball up the ground whereas asking Younger to play extra off ball to create simpler shot makes an attempt, assist cut back turnovers and transfer the ball extra. The Hawks will want as many wins as they’ll get to bolster these new habits. At present on a four-game street swing, the Hawks hope a 1-3 begin would not flip right into a slide. Porzingis, Johnson and Risacher returned in opposition to Chicago on Monday and Porzingis had his greatest sport as a Hawk with 27 factors. However protection and rebounding are areas in want of enchancment.
How huge of an issue is the purpose guard place?
Tim MacMahon: Cooper Flagg beginning his profession as some extent guard, a place he had by no means performed earlier than, would possibly pay long-term dividends. However the experiment hasn’t been fairly to date. The Mavs rank lifeless final in offensive effectivity, scoring solely 103.8 factors per 100 possessions. They had been twice held underneath 95 factors throughout their 1-3 begin, yet one more time than the remainder of the league mixed by Monday night time’s video games.
Coach Jason Kidd was hesitant to depend on D’Angelo Russell, taking part in undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard greater than the veteran within the first two video games earlier than giving Russell the sixth man function. Russell has shot the ball poorly (29.3% from the ground), however his playmaking means is sorely wanted whereas Irving recovers from his March knee surgical procedure. He has a 22-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio and the Mavs are plus-31 in Russell’s 83 minutes, in comparison with being outscored by 71 factors with out him on the ground.
What precisely is the plan on the heart spot?
Anthony Slater: The Warriors spent all summer time saying they do not need Draymond Inexperienced, in his fifteenth season as an undersized huge, accumulating the regular-season put on and tear that comes with defending the mammoths of the league. Then they proceeded to start out him at heart in 4 of their first 5 video games, together with an additional time matchup with Nikola Jokic.
Here is the issue: Al Horford is not cleared for back-to-backs and, even when he will get the inexperienced mild, is proscribed to round 24 minutes, and Quinten Put up and Trayce Jackson-Davis do not seem prepared for a big function on a contending crew. So it is going to be an entire lot of reluctant lineups with Inexperienced at heart, particularly with what appears to be a Jonathan Kuminga leap, forcing the Warriors to search out methods to place him on the ground for half-hour each night time.
Do the Rockets must signal a real level guard?
Michael C. Wright: The Rockets a minimum of seem like contemplating making such a transfer. A supply confirmed that Houston utilized for a Disabled Gamers Exemption for injured level guard Fred VanVleet, which might enable the Rockets to obtain a $12.5 million wage exemption (half of VanVleet’s $25 million wage for this season). Even when the exemption is accredited, the Rockets aren’t optimistic they’ll add an impactful participant. Complicating issues is the actual fact Houston stays onerous capped on the first apron.
So, the Rockets must transfer out wage to make use of the exemption. Coach Ime Udoka informed ESPN in early October that the crew deliberate to take a “by-committee” method to filling the void left by VanVleet’s harm. However to date, that method hasn’t resulted within the success the membership anticipated as major ballhandling duties require power that saps different components of a participant’s sport over the course of 4 quarters.
Can Reaves hold the crew’s head above water whereas each James and Doncic are out?
Dave McMenamin: Reaves adopted up the sport of his life — a career-best 51 factors, 11 rebounds, 9 assists and simply 2 turnovers in a win in Sacramento — with an excellent sport Monday in opposition to Portland (41 factors, albeit with eight turnovers). The primary sport L.A. received by seven; the second it misplaced by 14. It is one factor to count on Reaves to be excellent from night time to nighttime whereas James (sciatica) and Doncic (sprained finger on his left hand and a decrease left leg contusion) are out. The fifth-year guard has grown right into a dependable, confirmed participant on this league. It is one other to count on him to be otherworldly each sport.
L.A. must generate extra offense exterior of Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura if it expects to handle this upcoming stretch. Doncic is anticipated to overlook a minimum of one other two video games, and James is anticipated to overlook one other two to a few weeks.
Do the Bucks have sufficient within the backcourt to help Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Jamal Collier: By way of the primary three video games of the season, it is clear Antetokounmpo goes to do all he can to provide the Bucks an opportunity to win on a nightly foundation. He is already averaging 36 factors, 16 rebounds and seven assists whereas capturing 68.3%, main Milwaukee to wins in its first two video games in opposition to the Washington Wizards and Raptors. And though the supporting solid has had its moments, the Bucks are nonetheless ready to see who will emerge as their most dependable choices within the backcourt to assist ease among the offensive load on Antetokounmpo.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 10 factors within the first quarter of the season, injured his ankle and hasn’t performed since. Cole Anthony put up 23 factors and 7 assists within the second sport, however an sickness stored him out of the third. Kyle Kuzma has embraced his function coming off the bench. All three of these ball handlers are going to be key for Milwaukee to assist alleviate among the strain on its star, and if considered one of them can keep wholesome and productive sufficient subsequent to Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have a possibility to ascend towards the highest of the convention. — Jamal Collier
After they had been one of many healthiest groups within the league final season, will unhealthy luck meet up with the Knicks?
Vincent Goodwill: Mitchell Robinson hasn’t performed this season, underneath the mysterious guise of “load administration.” Karl-Anthony Cities informed reporters after the season opener that he is coping with a Grade 2 quad pressure and hasn’t indicated the ache has subsided within the meantime. Josh Hart is coping with a again harm he suffered in Abu Dhabi, which value him the season opener.
Preserving observe?
The brand new-look Mike Brown offense goes to take a while, particularly for the Knicks, who love taking part in a extra deliberate model. A top-five unit final season is now within the backside third after a really small pattern dimension, with solely Jalen Brunson (30.3 factors per sport) and Mikal Bridges (56.3% capturing) taking part in as much as their ordinary effectivity. Getting Cities wholesome and acclimated to taking part in subsequent to Robinson must be a chief precedence, as a result of capturing 40% as a crew is not going to chop it long run.
When will Oklahoma Metropolis’s beginning lineup be complete?
MacMahon: The Thunder are rolling regardless of the absence of All-NBA wing Williams, who’s working his manner again from the best wrist surgical procedure that he delayed till after the NBA Finals. Williams wasn’t capable of shoot in any respect along with his dominant hand till mid-October, and he is going by the method of regaining really feel and rebuilding his bounce shot. His pregame exercise Monday night time in Dallas, when Williams struggled capturing unguarded 3-pointers, was a sign that he wants a while. He has the posh of not feeling the necessity to rush as Oklahoma Metropolis racks up wins.
Within the meantime, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell is selecting up numerous the offensive slack, averaging 18.7 factors off the bench throughout the defending champions’ 5-0 begin.
Are the Spurs the actual deal?
Wright: It is easy to be swayed by the quick begin. Wembanyama received Western Convention Participant of the Week, averaging 31.3 factors, 13.8 rebounds and 4.8 blocks over the primary 4 video games and changing into the primary participant in NBA historical past to log 100-plus factors, 40-plus rebounds and 15-plus blocks by the primary three contests. We additionally witnessed a breakout efficiency from rookie Dylan Harper, who dropped 20 factors and a team-best plus-33 on Sunday in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Nonetheless, in evaluating the Spurs it will be an omission to not take into account the extent of competitors they confronted in defeating a trio of struggling squads to start out 2025-26 within the Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Nets. The power of opponents intensifies this week with matchups on deck in opposition to the Miami Warmth and Lakers. The truth that the Spurs had been capable of cobble collectively these wins with out Fox and Jeremy Sochan is a constructive signal.