The 2025-26 NBA season is just one week in, yet a myriad of captivating story arcs have already begun to emerge.
Off the court, the league is engulfed in investigations branching from illicit sports wagering and manipulated poker matches. On the court, injuries and unexpected spikes in performance have marked the week’s events. Following standout 40-point outings from Philadelphia 76ers‘ Tyrese Maxey, Utah Jazz‘s Lauri Markkanen, Denver Nuggets‘ Jamal Murray, and Los Angeles Lakers‘ Austin Reaves on Monday, a total of 16 40-point games have been recorded, the highest in the first week of a season in NBA history.
Amid the turbulence, our correspondents and analysts examined their biggest surprises thus far, bold forecasts for the remainder of the season, and which stars appear to be on the rise. They also addressed key inquiries regarding the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and six other teams early in the season.
Let’s analyze the highlights and lowlights from the season’s start.
Skip to a team-specific inquiry:
ATL | DAL | GS | HOU
LAL | MIL | NY | OKC | SA
What has caught your attention the most up to this point?
Brian Windhorst: I’ve witnessed superstar athletes elevate their games significantly in their third seasons. LeBron James ranked second in the MVP voting in his third season. Luka Doncic guided the Mavericks to their first playoff appearance. Kobe Bryant secured his first All-NBA selection. The list is extensive. However, what Victor Wembanyama has shown is on another level.
He has independently chosen to stop rescuing teams with 3-point attempts. While it’s common knowledge that he’s not classified strictly as a «center,» discussing his actual height is futile. He’s simply a basketball player. Every enormous step he takes towards the hoop amplifies a distinct advantage.
Wembanyama transitioning from nearly nine 3-point attempts per game to below three is transformational. Already a generational defensive force, he now stands on the brink of becoming one of the league’s top offensive threats.
Zach Kram: Rookies often need time to acclimate to the NBA, but the draft class of 2025 appears stunning right from the start — and this is before No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has fully adjusted to the NBA pace.
Numerous rookies have already made significant contributions to their squads, including high lottery selections like Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel to second-round choices like Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Will Richard. (Indeed, there are three Charlotte Hornets listed.) Cedric Coward emerged as one of the premier players early in the league, irrespective of experience. NBA enthusiasts should be excited to witness these newcomers grow throughout the season and beyond.
Tim Bontemps: The 76ers alongside the Chicago Bulls — the two Eastern teams expected to remain undefeated a week into the season.
Philadelphia stands at 4-0 despite Paul George (knee) and Jared McCain (thumb) both missing three games, while Joel Embiid (knee management) did not play against Orlando on Monday, and Tyrese Maxey combined with Edgecombe may very well form the most thrilling backcourt in the league. Conversely, Chicago has kicked off the season 3-0, while defeating teams predicted to rank among the East’s top six (the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Hawks).
I don’t foresee the 76ers and Bulls battling for home-court advantage in the East. Philadelphia will be enjoyable to watch, yet its insufficiency of size upfront alongside the ongoing ambiguities surrounding Embiid and George will eventually take a toll. Chicago is likely destined to win 39-40 games — as they do each season. However, it’s been an exhilarating start in both locations for teams that commenced the season with little enthusiasm, thus making it an exciting surprise thus far.
Kevin Pelton: Of the four unbeaten teams stepping onto the court Tuesday, three of them were in the lottery five months ago. While it’s not exceedingly unforeseen that the Spurs have kicked off with a 4-0 record, considering their easy early schedule (four contests against teams from the 2025 lottery) and Wembanyama’s phenomenal performance, the 76ers have thrived without substantial contributions from Embiid, and the Bulls have already taken down two aspiring Eastern contenders.
More broadly, as Todd Whitehead of Sportradar highlighted Tuesday, last season’s bottom 12 teams recorded a superior performance in the first week compared to the top 18 teams from the previous season. Some of this is affected by the scheduling. With leading national TV contests, top teams often face one another early, leaving recent lottery teams with more manageable schedules. Even when factoring this in, unexpected equality has prevailed.
Bobby Marks: Injuries. Even before the regular season commenced, the Memphis Grizzlies were positioned to request a 10-day hardship exception. With Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr, and Ty Jerome sidelined for three consecutive games and remaining out for at least two more weeks, Memphis has signed Charles Bassey as an exception, marking the earliest signing since the 1999-2000 season.
Simultaneously, the Indiana Pacers started the season without Tyrese Haliburton (sustained an Achilles) and T.J. McConnell (suffered a hamstring) and then lost starters Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard alongside reserves Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter due to injuries in the first two contests. To worsen matters, sixth man Obi Toppin had to leave the game early on Sunday with a right hamstring injury. Consequently, Indiana signed slam dunk champion Mac McClung, necessitating the release of center James Wiseman.
In their defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, the Lakers had merely seven healthy players on standard contracts. Ironically, the defending champion Thunder lead in the league with the most games lost. Furthermore, 11 players, including Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox, and Jalen Green, are sidelined due to hamstring injuries.
What top-of-mind topics are in the league office after a week of play?
Windhorst: The gambling scandals are diverting attention, prompting the league to assess the potential for overhauling its injury-reporting processes.
This won’t be a pleasant transition. Certain teams and coaches might resist this change, yet they will need to disclose injury statuses when decisions are made, not when it’s strategically advantageous. There’s ample opportunity for a discussion surrounding the rise of gambling and its consequences (including its influence on those who subsequently become professional athletes), and it is a multifaceted issue. Among the recent accusations, insider trading of injury information, in contrast to the illegal and rigged poker operation, is something the league can effectively tackle more promptly.
Which preseason prediction would you like to revisit?
Kram: With two of their key guards and centers injured at the start of the season, I initially believed the Grizzlies were doomed to another dismal season. The competitive landscape in the West is so fierce that I anticipated Memphis would rapidly fall behind without enough time or talent to reclaim a play-in spot.
However, the Grizzlies have exhibited commendable basketball thus far, and Coward seems poised to become a rising star. Provided that Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. maintain their health, Memphis could — at a minimum — stay afloat and remain competitive until reinforcements arrive in a month or so.
1:18
Why Stephen A. needs to see more from Anthony Davis
Stephen A. Smith calls on Anthony Davis to step up for the Mavericks after their loss to the Spurs.
What bold prediction would you like to make after observing a week of games?
Bontemps: I predict the Mavericks will fall short of the playoffs.
The initial assumption heading into the season was that Dallas’ defense would support them while awaiting a possible return of Kyrie Irving. However, during this opening week, their defense has appeared less than formidable, and the scarcity of perimeter shooting and shot creation has proven problematic as anticipated. This poses a tough challenge in a competitive Western Conference, particularly with the Spurs looking to impress (and exceed expectations, among others) along with a number of other formidable contenders.
What early-season trend has caught your interest the most?
Pelton: Free throw rates have surged significantly. The current average of 27.7 free throws per game — a six increase from last season — would break records not seen since 1990-91, should this be maintained. Those last two words are crucial. Free throw numbers typically decline as the season progresses, averaging a decrease of 1.5 per game from the first week to the final average over the past decade.
Moreover, as players adapt to officiating styles, free throw rates often regress toward the recent averages (approximately 22 per game in the last few seasons). There’s no justification to anticipate the high frequency of fouls to persist. Nevertheless, these fouls have significantly influenced the high-scoring outcomes thus far, featuring over twice as many players reaching 40 points compared to previous seasons’ opening weeks, according to ESPN Research. On average, those performances included 13.1 free throw attempts.
Which contract situation should fans monitor closely?
Marks: Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell. Though the regular season has only just commenced, he has already outperformed the three-year, $6.7 million contract signed in July (with the last year being a team option). This season, Mitchell is averaging 18.3 points and registered a career-high 26 against Indiana. According to Cleaning the Glass, Oklahoma City benefits by 5.9 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court.
Mitchell’s contract and impact on the court are vital, as Oklahoma City is anticipated to approach the second apron next season. This will be the initial year for rookie max extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. — Marks
Which rookie has astonished you the most in the initial week?
Jeremy Woo: Given the minuscule sample size, it’s Coward. He played only six games at Washington State last year before suffering an injury — prior to that, he spent two years at Eastern Washington — so to begin his career with such an impressive start despite limited high-level basketball experience at 22 years old is truly remarkable.
Will Coward shoot 70% from the field indefinitely? Will he maintain a turnover rate of 0.25 per game? Absolutely not. His standout 27-point game came against a severely undermanned Pacers team. Nonetheless, the Grizzlies seem to have deftly navigated their roster decisions by trading away Desmond Bane, targeting Coward as his cheaper, younger alternative. Stepping into the starting lineup so seamlessly and performing at this caliber is no easy task. This certainly bodes well for the franchise.
Additional inquiries from the NBA landscape
How long may it take for the new Hawks lineup to gel?
Ohm Youngmisuk: The Hawks faced a heavy defeat against the Toronto Raptors on opening night, 138-118. Following the game, Trae Young noted that the team lacked synergy due to the principal rotation barely playing together during preseason games.
The Hawks have struggled with injuries and illnesses among starters like Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms), Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and Jalen Johnson (ankle). Young requires more time to build chemistry with the team’s new additions.
Quin Snyder is attempting to implement a more dynamic offensive strategy, urging his team to push the pace while encouraging Young to operate off the ball to facilitate easier shot opportunities, minimize turnovers, and enhance ball movement. The Hawks will need to maximize their wins to solidify these new habits. Currently, on a four-game road trip, they aim to avoid the beginning of a losing streak following a 1-3 start. Porzingis, Johnson, and Risacher returned against Chicago on Monday, with Porzingis having a standout performance as a Hawk with 27 points. Yet, areas like defense and rebounding remain critical points for enhancement.
How significant of an issue is the point guard role?
Tim MacMahon: Starting his career as a point guard, a position Cooper Flagg has never played, could yield long-term benefits. However, the initial outcomes have been far from pleasing. The Mavericks currently rank last in offensive efficiency, generating merely 103.8 points per 100 possessions. They have been held below 95 points twice during their 1-3 start, surpassing the number of times the rest of the league combined has done so during the same time frame.
Head Coach Jason Kidd hesitated to rely on D’Angelo Russell, opting to utilize undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard more than the veteran in the first two contests before assigning Russell a sixth man role. Russell has struggled with his shooting (29.3% from the field), yet his playmaking capability is desperately required while Irving recovers from his March knee procedure. He boasts a 22-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio, and the Mavs are plus-31 in Russell’s 83 minutes compared to being outscored by 71 points in his absence.
1:15
Stephen A.: Keep your eyes on the Warriors in the West
Stephen A. Smith explains why he has been impressed by the Warriors in their first two games.
What exactly is the strategy at the center position?
Anthony Slater: The Warriors declared all summer that they intended to avoid having Draymond Green, in his fifteenth season as an undersized big man, accumulating regular-season wear and tear by defending the league’s giants. Yet, they have begun him at center in four of their first five games, including an overtime matchup against Nikola Jokic.
The concern is that Al Horford remains unable to play in back-to-backs and is restricted to roughly 24 minutes even when cleared to play, while Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis don’t seem ready for prominent roles on a playoff-contending squad. Consequently, expect numerous reluctant rounds with Green at center, especially considering Jonathan Kuminga appears primed to contribute for 30 minutes each night.
Do the Rockets need to add a legitimate point guard?
Michael C. Wright: The Rockets seem inclined to pursue such a move. One source confirmed that Houston has requested a Disabled Players Exemption for injured point guard Fred VanVleet, allowing the Rockets to obtain a $12.5 million salary exemption (half of VanVleet’s $25 million salary this season). Even if the exemption is granted, the Rockets remain skeptical about adding an impactful player. Compounded by this is Houston’s persistent hard cap at the first apron.
Thus, the Rockets would need to move out salary to utilize the exemption. Coach Ime Udoka mentioned to ESPN in early October that the team intended to adopt a «committee» approach to fill the gap left by VanVleet’s absence. However, thus far, this strategy has not yielded the success the club anticipated as the primary ball-handling responsibilities demand energy that detracts from other aspects of a player’s performance over four quarters.
Can Reaves keep the team afloat while both James and Doncic are sidelined?
Dave McMenamin: Reaves followed up the game of his lifetime—a career-high 51 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, and only 2 turnovers in a win against Sacramento—with a solid performance on Monday against Portland (41 points, though with eight turnovers). In the first game, L.A. won by seven; in the second, they lost by 14. It’s one thing to expect Reaves to consistently shine without James (sciatica) and Doncic (left finger sprain and lower leg contusion). The fifth-year guard has matured into a dependable, established player within the league. It’s another matter to expect him to perform at an extraordinary level in every game.
L.A. will need to produce additional offense beyond Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura to navigate this upcoming phase. Doncic is likely to miss at least two more contests, while James is expected to be sidelined for another two to three weeks.
Do the Bucks possess sufficient backcourt support for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Jamal Collier: In the first three contests, it’s evident that Antetokounmpo intends to exert every effort to secure victories for the Bucks on a nightly basis. He is averaging 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 68.3%, leading Milwaukee to victories in its initial two games against the Washington Wizards and Raptors. Although the supporting cast has had its standout moments, the Bucks are still searching for reliable backcourt options to mitigate some of the offensive burden on Antetokounmpo.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 10 points in the first quarter of the season, then injured his ankle and has not played since. Cole Anthony posted 23 points and seven assists in the second game, but an illness sidelined him for the third. Kyle Kuzma has adapted well to his role coming off the bench. All three of these ball handlers are crucial for Milwaukee, and if one can maintain health and efficiency alongside Antetokounmpo, the Bucks may rise towards the conference’s summit. — Jamal Collier
After enjoying great health last season, will misfortune catch up with the Knicks?
Vincent Goodwill: Mitchell Robinson has not yet participated this season, citing «load management.» Karl-Anthony Towns reported after the first game that he is contending with a Grade 2 quad strain and has not indicated that the discomfort has improved. Josh Hart is dealing with a back injury sustained during the team’s trip to Abu Dhabi, missing the season opener.
Keeping track?
The new Mike Brown offense will require time to develop, especially for the Knicks, who prefer a more methodical style. From last season’s top-five unit, they currently sit within the bottom third after a small sample size, with only Jalen Brunson (30.3 points per game) and Mikal Bridges (56.3% shooting) performing up to their usual standards. Getting Towns healthy and adjusting to play alongside Robinson must become a priority, as a team shooting 40% is not sustainable long-term.
When will Oklahoma City’s starting lineup be whole again?
MacMahon: The Thunder are thriving despite the absence of All-NBA wing Williams, who is rehabilitating from right wrist surgery that he deferred until after the NBA Finals. Williams was unable to shoot with his dominant hand until mid-October and is currently working on regaining his rhythm and improving his jump shot. His pregame workout on Monday night in Dallas, during which Williams struggled with unguarded 3-point attempts, indicated he requires more time. Fortunately, he can take his time while Oklahoma City records victories.
In the interim, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell is handling much of the offensive burden, averaging 18.7 points off the bench during the defending champions’ 5-0 start.
Are the Spurs the real contenders?
Wright: A rapid start can be enticing. Wembanyama was named the Western Conference Player of the Week, averaging 31.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 4.8 blocks across the first four games, becoming the first player in NBA history to amass 100-plus points, 40-plus rebounds, and 15-plus blocks within the opening three contests. We also witnessed a standout game from rookie Dylan Harper, who scored 20 points and recorded a team-leading plus-33 in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
However, it’s essential to appraise the Spurs while accounting for the quality of opponents they faced to secure victories against a trio of underperforming teams, kicking off the 2025-26 season against the Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Nets. This week brings about tougher competition with games against the Miami Heat and Lakers. The fact the Spurs secured wins without Fox and Jeremy Sochan is a favorable indication.
