The NBA Is Back with New Season Highlights
The NBA has returned, and the 2025-26 season has kicked off with exciting matchups and fresh narratives. The opening night featured a thrilling showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, with OKC emerging victorious in double overtime. This marks the league’s return to NBC.
Wednesday was the first significant night of games, featuring 24 teams making their season debuts. Following this, the Denver Nuggets will face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, completing the initial round of league play.
Now, while it’s tempting to react strongly to the first games, we should be cautious. For instance, Nikola Vucevic might not continue to play at an All-NBA level for the Chicago Bulls throughout the season. Similarly, the Utah Jazz likely won’t maintain their performance against Western Conference playoff contenders. Yet, the thrill of overreacting is hard to resist. Here are some key takeaways from the season’s start.
1. Victor Wembanyama is the Best Player in the World
Nikola Jokic has held the title of “best player” for five seasons. At just 30 years old, he continues to lead the Nuggets with championship aspirations. However, after watching Victor Wembanyama against the Dallas Mavericks, it’s fair to think that the young Frenchman might soon claim that title from Jokic.
Wembanyama had an impressive outing against rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, scoring 40 points with 15 rebounds and three blocks—and plus 31 on the court in just 30 minutes. He even improved his three-point shooting from last year, hitting 1-of-2, while attacking the basket with remarkable power. Some of his plays left fans stunned.
He displayed a dominant style similar to Giannis, using his 7’5″ height and 8-foot wingspan to overpower Mavericks defenders. And to do this against a top defender like Anthony Davis makes it all the more impressive. How will average defenders stand a chance against him this season?
It’s widely believed Wembanyama is destined to be the best player in the league. I noted his immense potential well before the draft, and at just 21, he hasn’t even made the playoffs yet. Players often take significant leaps in their third seasons, and it looks like Wembanyama is on that trajectory. Whether he surpasses Jokic, Giannis, Gilgeous-Alexander, or Luka Doncic will be interesting to see, but there’s no denying that he possesses a unique skill set. We’re witnessing the beginning of a potential legend in Wembanyama, and every game will be exciting to watch.
2. The Knicks Are the Team to Beat in the East
The Knicks kicked off their season against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a fierce rival. Despite both teams missing key players and the game taking place at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks won 119-111, showcasing their strength this year. New head coach Mike Brown allowed the offense to flow without just relying on Jalen Brunson. Although Brunson struggled from three-point range, his teammates stepped up, particularly Myles McBride and promising guard Tyler Kolek.
Last year, former coach Tom Thibodeau’s rigid strategies limited the bench’s involvement, contributing to his firing. Brown, however, showed adaptability in his lineups. The Knicks are currently in win-now mode, especially since players like Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart will return from injury soon. With a deep roster including OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and the reliable Brunson, not reaching the NBA Finals would be seen as a letdown for a team that looks capable of going far.
3. The Hawks’ Defense is a Concern
The Atlanta Hawks were seen as potential breakout candidates this season, but their performance against the Toronto Raptors raised concerns. The Raptors outscored the Hawks significantly despite struggling from three-point range. It was apparent that the Hawks struggled to defend against simple drives to the basket.
The Raptors shouldn’t have been this challenging to stop; their lack of shooting should have allowed the Hawks to focus on defense in the paint. Instead, Atlanta seemed to chase fast breaks without securing any defensive stops. While many Hawks players had impressive stats, the overall feeling was that their offensive success was hollow given the ease with which Toronto scored on the other end.
This year’s Hawks seemed to lean too heavily on Trae Young, assuming his presence would suffice defensively. But that won’t work if they can’t stop their opponents.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo is Bound for Greatness
The Milwaukee Bucks opened their season with a win against the Washington Wizards—though it’s worth noting that the Wizards might struggle to reach 20 wins this year. In a performance reminiscent of his dominance, Giannis scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out five assists in a mere 27 minutes. If this is his last season in Milwaukee, he’s starting strong.
Giannis has indicated he’ll evaluate his future after this season and, though he wishes to remain with the Bucks, his sole focus is on winning championships. It’d be nice if they could face the Wizards all season long. Milwaukee will likely face challenges ahead, but with Giannis, they’ll remain competitive.
5. VJ Edgecombe’s Situation at Baylor Held Him Back
I’ve always thought highly of VJ Edgecombe. Back in 2023, I had him as one of the top long-term NBA prospects. His freshman year at Baylor was marked by explosive athleticism but also some struggles during games. After witnessing his impressive debut with the 76ers, scoring 34 points against the Boston Celtics, it’s evident he thrived once freed from Baylor’s constraints.
At Baylor, he found himself in a slow-paced system with players who didn’t stretch the floor, putting pressure on him to be perfect. But against the Celtics, he excelled. Despite a disappointing performance from Joel Embiid, the Sixers pushed the pace, allowing Edgecombe’s skills to shine through. Notably, half his shots came from three-point range, and his energy was palpable. Some players adapt better to the NBA, and it seems like Edgecombe is one of them.
6. The Clippers May Disappoint This Season
The Western Conference is highly competitive, and some teams are bound to face disappointment. The Los Angeles Clippers started the season with a disappointing loss to the Utah Jazz, who are expected to struggle this year. The Jazz’s 129-108 win reflects more on the Clippers’ defensive issues, which were glaring from the outset.
With new additions like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul, the Clippers aimed to enhance their backcourt, but both players underperformed in the opener. Kawhi Leonard, dealing with some controversies, scored just 10 points in nearly 30 minutes. Although James Harden had a decent night statistically, his defense was lackluster, contributing to a significant deficit. Last year, the Clippers showed promise, but tender issues surrounding the team raise questions about their stability moving forward.
7. The Lakers Need More from Doncic’s Supporting Cast
The Lakers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors highlighted the weaknesses of their roster in the absence of LeBron James. Luka Doncic had an incredible game, scoring 43 points with impressive shooting numbers, but he was lacking support. New recruit Deandre Ayton continued some previous trends of being soft on the boards, and others didn’t step up either. The Lakers lack the depth and toughness that a competitive team should have. It’s not surprising they lost to a strong Warriors team, yet it seems concerning that the Lakers are not capitalizing on Doncic’s prime years. Winning a playoff series might be a tough challenge for this current lineup.
