Overview
- The Lakers ruled LeBron James out for at least the first week or two with sciatica and named Luka Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton as Opening Night starters, with Bronny James cleared to play as JJ Redick stresses defensive habits.
- Golden State visits Los Angeles with Stephen Curry leading the Warriors, Jimmy Butler expected to play and Moses Moody out, as Steve Kerr prepares a team-focused plan to contain Doncic without deploying typical “LeBron rules.”
- Injury timelines are redefining early rotations across the league, with the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton out for the season (Achilles), the Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving not expected back until 2026 (ACL) and the Rockets’ Fred VanVleet out for the season (ACL).
- Knicks–Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden is framed as an early gauge between East betting favorites under new Knicks coach Mike Brown, with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns downplaying outside hype and reports noting Mitchell Robinson’s opener status as uncertain.
- Roster and contract moves set the stage as the Warriors waive Seth Curry in a procedural cap move with plans to re-sign him later, the Rockets and Kevin Durant agree to a reported two-year, $90 million extension, and the champion Thunder open their title defense with their core intact.