We have now seen all 30 NBA groups play a minimum of one sport. The Thunder and Warriors have gone twice. Does that imply we are able to say something significant in regards to the 2025-26 season? Possibly. Possibly not. Final yr, the Hornets beat the Rockets on the highway. Charlotte wasn’t the shock No. 2 seed amongst these groups. Each of the Tuesday matchups have been gained by groups that will finally lose to those self same opponents within the playoffs — the Lakers to the Timberwolves and the Celtics to the Knicks. Once more, not precisely predictive. However there have been a minimum of a couple of video games that gave us significant perception.
The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped 136 factors in a 30-point decimation of the Toronto Raptors, as an illustration. They’d the very best offense within the league throughout a 64-win season whereas the Raptors tanked. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat Nikola Jokić on the highway after which took his MVP award. Opening evening is the primary actual alternative for gamers and groups to point out the world what they spent the summer time working towards. Generally it takes some time, because it did for the Rockets. Generally it is instant, because it was for the Cavaliers.
We’ve got a complete season to supply measured takes on dependable samples. Opening evening is for overreactions. So let’s undergo every of those video games in quest of one excessive takeaway. Will any of those pan out? Effectively, if final yr is any indication, a few of them will, and others will look ridiculous. That is the NBA. It is an ever-changing league, and it is higher to be too early on these adjustments than too late.
NBA opening evening overreactions
Nuggets-Warriors: Nikola Jokić could have his first All-Star teammate
It was a Twilight Zone type of evening for the Nuggets. They made it to extra time regardless of shedding Jokić’s minutes. Aaron Gordon chipped in 50 factors, however Denver misplaced as a result of Jokić had a depressing taking pictures evening. Nonetheless … Aaron Gordon scored 50 factors, and he did so on a career-best 10 3-pointers. He was a 29% 3-point shooter as lately as two years in the past, however after making 43.6% of his triples final season, it is honest to be optimistic that Thursday’s taking pictures is a minimum of considerably sustainable.
In the meantime, Jamal Murray scored 25 factors on 11-of-20 taking pictures. Which may not sound particularly notable, besides that for his profession, Murray has averaged solely 10.5 factors in season openers. He is a notoriously sluggish starter, particularly recently due to accidents. But when Murray is wholesome and Gordon is making 3s, the Nuggets will not want Jokić to be Superman each evening. If Thursday was any indication, they’re going to be capable of carry sufficient of the load to not solely hold him more energizing all through the season, but additionally give him the primary All-Star teammate(s) of his profession.
Pacers-Thunder: Bennedict Mathurin is the Most Improved Participant favourite
Bennedict Mathurin was drafted into fairly uncommon circumstances. He instantly joined a staff that had simply acquired its franchise participant. That franchise participant performs a particular type of basketball, and his staff rose to prominence partly by surrounding him with teammates who match that model. It was an ungainly match. Mathurin wants the ball in his palms to thrive. He is an athletic, slashing scorer, one which typically stood out on the freewheeling Pacers for his shot-selection and ball-dominance.
However with Tyrese Haliburton injured, the Pacers haven’t any selection however to place the ball in Mathurin’s palms, and in his first sport as one in every of Indiana’s main scorers, he soared, scoring 36 factors in opposition to the very best protection within the league. Final season, the one two gamers to do this in opposition to the Thunder have been Fred VanVleet and Stephen Curry, each of whom did so on a minimum of 5 made 3-pointers. Mathurin did it by barreling in direction of the basket, drawing 17 free-throw makes an attempt in what was virtually the most effective season-opening victories in Pacers historical past. They could have misplaced the sport, but when that is Mathurin taking that essential subsequent step, they’re going to wind up successful the struggle. He flashed star upside on Thursday, and he’ll have 81 extra possibilities to point out voters he deserves a trophy for it.
Mavericks-Spurs: Victor Wembanyama is the very best participant on the planet
Look previous the numbers for a second. I do know that is going to be troublesome on an evening by which Wembanyama scored 40 factors, pulled in 15 rebounds, blocked three pictures and revamped 70% of his pictures, however his stat strains are all the time gaudy.
What we noticed on Wednesday was totally different.
This was not a child hen spreading its wings. This was a dragon laying waste to any who would dare oppose him. The complete idea of the Dallas Mavericks was to construct a staff so gigantic that no one might rating in opposition to it. Wembanyama made it look simple. What number of 7-5 facilities have you ever ever seen pump faux right into a drive that resulted in a reverse dunk? How about blocking an opposing heart on one finish after which crossing him up for a four-point play on the opposite?
He is working the ground like a small ahead now, however he is added sufficient bulk to bully facilities. When Anthony Davis is so misplaced in opposition to you that he has no possibility however to foul, you already know you are doing one thing proper. Possibly Nikola Jokić continues to be extra beneficial. Possibly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hoists the trophy once more on the finish. However Victor Wembanyama’s season 3 premiere made the inconceivable look routine. Nobody else on Earth can do what he does. If he is not the very best participant within the NBA right now, he can be within the very close to future.
Timberwolves-Path Blazers: Minnesota continues to be gentle on playmaking
Sure, the Timberwolves gained, and sure, Anthony Edwards was spectacular with 41 factors, however this sport was nearer than the Timberwolves possible suspected partly as a result of this staff stays gentle on playmaking. They assisted on solely half of their 42 area targets and dedicated 19 turnovers. With Donte DiVincenzo changing Mike Conley within the beginning lineup and Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. anticipated to tackle larger roles this season, the Timberwolves are seemingly shifting away from conventional level guards. Sure, 41 factors from Edwards are good. He is able to taking part in hero. However given the development of this roster, the Timberwolves want a couple of help out of Edwards if they’ll get by the numerous Western Convention groups which can be higher than the Blazers.
Kings-Suns: Signing Russell Westbrook was a mistake
It is a bit cliche responsible Russell Westbrook, particularly after a single sport. The issue right here is much less what he did on the court docket, although a 2-of-8 taking pictures evening in 19 minutes was hardly encouraging. The difficulty here’s what he does to Sacramento’s roster. He acquired on the ground earlier than Keon Ellis, the one dependable defender the Kings have, and that in flip restricted Ellis to solely 13 minutes. In the meantime, the Kings closed their loss to the Suns with Dylan Caldwell, a two-way participant, at heart. Westbrook’s slot on the staff most likely ought to have gone to a defensive-minded huge man. The roster is enormously unbalanced. They’ve too many gamers who want the ball and never sufficient frontcourt gamers to do the soiled work. Westbrook’s popularity affords him taking part in time that this particular roster must be spending elsewhere.
Clippers-Jazz: The Clippers are too outdated
The Clippers constructed the oldest roster in NBA historical past this offseason, and so they possible felt justified in doing so due to how properly their older gamers fared a yr in the past. James Harden was an All-Star and Kawhi Leonard appeared like his peak self down the stretch, so that they added Chris Paul, Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez to their basketball remake of The Expendables. Effectively, what occurred after they tipped off on Wednesday? They have been run off the ground by the youthful, extra athletic Jazz.
The Clippers scored simply eight quick break factors in defeat, and the beginning trio of Leonard, Beal and Harden mixed for under 30 factors. Other than Derrick Jones Jr., there is not a lot athleticism to talk of right here. The Clippers have to out-execute opponents largely on talent, and if there may be any slippage in any respect from the place these gamers have been a yr in the past, that is going to be very powerful. They got here out fully flat on opening evening, and if that is an indication of the place they’re bodily now, issues are solely going to get tougher within the canine days of the schedule.
Bulls-Pistons: Detroit would not have sufficient taking pictures
Malik Beasley, as a reserve, was answerable for greater than 30% of Detroit’s made 3-pointers final season. To place that quantity into perspective, Stephen Curry was answerable for round 32% of Golden State’s 3-pointers in 2021, the yr he performed with out Klay Thompson. The Pistons hoped that Duncan Robinson could be sufficient to switch his taking pictures, however Robinson hasn’t made 40% of his 3s since 2021 and he missed all 5 of his makes an attempt on Wednesday. Robinson is nearly unplayable when his pictures do not go in, however the Pistons don’t have any selection.
Contemplating how a lot they’ve invested in Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, who’re non-shooters, they want Robinson to area the ground correctly. They acquired the worst of each worlds on Wednesday, as Robinson did little for his or her offense whereas struggling defensively. In the meantime, Cade Cunningham spent the sport driving into site visitors en path to an 8-of-24 taking pictures efficiency. The Pistons are a minimum of one shooter quick proper now, however given how historic Beasley was a yr in the past, even that may not be sufficient to elevate this offense.
Grizzlies-Pelicans: Ja Morant will return to the All-Star Sport
Ja Morant kind of misplaced the 2023-24 season to accidents and suspension. He was again on the court docket final season, however accidents continued to weaken him, and so did a revamped offense that each one however eliminated the pick-and-roll. His 11.4 paint factors per sport and 6.4 free throw makes an attempt per sport each represented significant dips from his 2022 peak, when he made his first All-Star Sport. However with Tuomas Iisalo now locked in as head coach and an offseason of restoration behind him, Morant put up 20 paint factors and eight free-throw makes an attempt in opposition to the Pelicans on Wednesday, en path to 35 factors on the evening.
Every part Morant does offensively flows out of his skill to get to the basket and get to the road, and Iisalo has reconfigured the offense to maximise his alternatives to take action. This model of Morant is an All-Star, and if he can play like this when half of his staff is injured, he’ll solely get stronger because the season progresses.
Bucks-Wizards: Khris Middleton is again!
The Bucks are ineligible for any overreactions by advantage of getting performed the Wizards. We’re not even going to faux to take something away from their opening efficiency. However a former Buck that was on the opposite aspect Wednesday? That is honest sport. Are you able to guess the final time Khris Middleton scored 23 factors in an NBA sport? I am virtually sure you’ll be able to’t, as a result of it wasn’t even final season. No, it was Sport 4 of Milwaukee’s five-game loss to Indiana within the 2024 postseason.
Khris Middleton exhibits like to Bucks followers in return to Milwaukee: ‘I believe that is each participant’s dream’
Jack Maloney
A wide range of accidents tore Middleton right down to the purpose that he was basically simply wage filler within the Kyle Kuzma commerce final February. However Middleton appeared more healthy than he has in fairly a while along with his 9-of-14 taking pictures efficiency in opposition to the Bucks on Wednesday. He cannot get to the rim like he used to, however he appeared snug discovering his patented mid-range seems to be in opposition to the Bucks, and if that persists, he instantly turns into a fairly fascinating commerce or buyout candidate come midseason.
Hawks-Raptors: Toronto can construct a viable offense with out taking pictures
The 2024-25 Toronto Raptors by no means scored greater than 133 factors in a sport. They scored 138 on opening evening this season, and this is the kicker: They solely shot 7-of-25 from 3-point vary. That is Toronto in a nutshell. Courting again to the Nick Nurse years, they all the time lagged behind in taking pictures and playmaking, however made up for it by attending to the basket and scoring in transition. The Raptors had 34 fastbreak factors on Wednesday to go together with 86 factors within the paint. This can be a bizarre group of gamers, and one that may most likely want some mixing and matching from a lineup perspective. However they’re huge, athletic, and relentless defensively. They’re going to generate sufficient simple offense on that alone to outlive, even when the taking pictures by no means fairly comes round.
76ers-Celtics: Philadelphia belongs to the guards now
Joel Embiid performed 20 minutes, scored 4 factors in opposition to arguably the NBA‘s thinnest entrance court docket and in the end acquired benched for crunch time. His motion appeared fully compromised. It needs to be panic time in Philadelphia, besides VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey simply introduced themselves as maybe essentially the most unguardable backcourt within the NBA.
Joel Embiid seems to be like a shell of himself throughout 20 painful minutes in 76ers’ season-opening win vs. Celtics
Brad Botkin
The pair mixed to make 12 3-pointers on the best way to their 74 factors, and that taking pictures makes their elite velocity that rather more deadly. Philadelphia’s huge man could also be sluggish and comparatively unathletic at this stage of his profession, however the 76ers can construct a brand new identification round their backcourt’s talent and dynamism. A star was born in Edgecombe on Wednesday, and Maxey reaffirmed that standing for himself after an injury-plagued tanking yr.
Knicks-Cavaliers: Mike Brown and Leon Rose mounted the bench
If Tom Thibodeau had his means, his groups would depend on solely 5 gamers. Possibly 4. Luol Deng can play two positions without delay, proper? Mike Brown was employed partly to benefit from a bench constructed with restricted assets, and he did simply that of their 119-111 win in opposition to Cleveland. The Knicks used 11 gamers in opposition to the Cavaliers on Wednesday, and with Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart injured, that meant each participant with an ordinary contract besides Pacôme Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara noticed actual motion. The outcome? The Knicks acquired 35 factors from their bench after averaging a league-low (by a rustic mile) 21.7 a yr in the past.
Each reserve besides Landry Shamet had a optimistic plus-minus. Ariel Hukporti stood out beginning in Robinson’s place early on because of his power and rebounding, however nearly everybody did their half for the Knicks of their season-opening victory.
Magic-Warmth: Orlando will finish its 13-year streak as a bottom-10 offense
Dying, taxes and unhealthy Orlando offense. The Magic have ranked within the backside 10 offensively 13 years in a row. That is what compelled their offseason blockbuster for Desmond Bane, and in opposition to a stout Miami protection, Bane completely delivered. His 23 factors clearly helped, however actually, simply having a threatening shooter on the ground modified all the pieces for this offense. After rating twenty fourth within the NBA with 45.8 paint factors per sport a season in the past, the Magic dropped 56 on a Warmth frontline led by star defender Bam Adebayo. If Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero can take the subsequent step with this newfound area, the Magic will not simply keep away from the bottom-10, they may even sneak into the highest 10.
Hornets-Nets: Charlotte has its facilities
The Hornets traded Mark Williams twice and Nick Richards as soon as, and to the bare eye, it appeared like they simply did not search viable replacements. Effectively, it seems, they’ve managed to fill the place for pennies on the greenback. Second-round rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner and former two-way participant Moussa Diabaté mixed to offer Charlotte 23 factors, 20 rebounds and three blocks of their 136-117 win over the Nets. Diabaté was a plus-minus darling on the defensive finish a yr in the past, and Kalkbrenner gained 4 consecutive Huge East Defensive Participant of the Yr awards, so whereas they have been fairly unheralded by typical NBA requirements, the Hornets have been justified in betting on them. That guess paid off on Wednesday. At the very least for now, they will roll ahead with this duo.
Thunder-Rockets: Alperen Sengun is an MVP candidate
It has been burbling all summer time, particularly at EuroBasket, the place he drew comparisons to Nikola Jokić. Effectively, Tuesday was proof of idea. Alperen Sengun was for giant stretches the very best participant on a court docket with Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in the end scoring 39 factors, 11 rebounds and 7 assists within the Houston loss. He made a career-high 5 3-pointers — he’d beforehand topped out at three, and even that was a rarity. His ending on the rim was a bit suspect final season, however he made 4 of his 5 restricted space pictures in opposition to the Thunder. He led each groups with seven assists, no small feat contemplating he is taking part in on a roster with little or no ball-handling or taking pictures.
Rockets haunted by obtrusive lack of level guard competence in season-opening defeat
Brad Botkin
We got here into the season not understanding how Houston’s offense would fare with out Fred VanVleet. Tuesday gave us our reply: By way of Sengun, and it should vault him into some very lofty conversations.
Lakers-Warriors: Not even skinny Luka can repair this roster
This is a distressing statistic: 97 of the 109 factors scored by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday have been scored or assisted on by Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves. Not nice. Neither is a house loss when your finest participant has a 43-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist stat line. The Lakers shot 8-of-32 from deep, distressing in proportion in fact, but additionally in quantity given how a lot JJ Redick has talked about hoisting 3s.
The Lakers hold making the identical errors, however now the stakes are larger than ever for Rob Pelinka
Sam Quinn
The perimeter protection was a multitude, fouling Jimmy Butler always and doing little to impede Stephen Curry‘s motion. Deandre Ayton‘s debut was all the pieces Blazers and Suns followers warned it could possibly be. He demanded the ball an excessive amount of, did not get to the road, did not rebound and did not actually combine it up close to the basket a lot in any respect. Getting LeBron James again will assist, but when the Lakers cannot get the position gamers proper, no quantity of star energy will matter.
