Overview
- The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder open as title favorites, with BetMGM listing them among the leading picks to repeat.
- LeBron James is out for the Lakers’ opener with sciatica and is expected to miss at least the first week or two, while Bronny James was removed from the injury report.
- Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Houston’s Fred VanVleet will miss the season with torn Achilles and ACL injuries, Dallas’ Kyrie Irving is not expected back until early 2026, and Boston’s Jayson Tatum is likely to miss a significant stretch after a torn Achilles.
- Opening night features the Rockets at the Thunder and the Warriors at the Lakers, with Stephen Curry leading Golden State against a Los Angeles team now headlined by Luka Dončić.
- Top draft pick Cooper Flagg enters with lofty expectations and is widely viewed as the Rookie of the Year favorite for Dallas.