The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on October 21, 2025, ushering in the league’s 80th campaign with an opening night primed for intrigue and marquee matchups. Anticipation centers on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. They will raise their first championship banner before hosting the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a retooled squad begin their title defense. Later that evening, eyes turn to Los Angeles, where LeBron James—making history in his 23rd NBA season—and new teammate Luka Dončić headline the Lakers’ highly anticipated matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors as their storied rivalry enters another chapter at Crypto.com Arena. NBC and Peacock will televise the doubleheader, marking the return of NBA hoops to network television.
Opening night signals a return to the league’s most compelling themes, with superstar debuts, high-profile pairings, and championship aspirations drawing attention nationwide. The Lakers, whose NBA championship odds open at +1200 according to Wild Bet777, face immediate tests as Dončić joins James in a backcourt built for offensive fireworks. Golden State counters with the scoring prowess of Curry—both squads aiming to establish rhythm early in the competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s celebration quickly transitions into a battle with Houston’s athletic roster, offering the first glimpse of whether Oklahoma City can build on its historic 68-win campaign.
The international spotlight from preseason exhibitions continues to shine, but the regular season’s opening frames set up a pivotal foundation for emerging storylines, roster experiments, and evolving championship races. Coaches and front offices now see their offseason decisions put to the ultimate test, as performance, health, and team chemistry begin shaping the year ahead in one of the most anticipated seasons in recent NBA memory.
2025-26 NBA Season: Projected Win Totals for Top Teams
With the league’s competitive balance asserting itself, projections for the 2025-26 season reflect the expectations surrounding the NBA’s most accomplished clubs. The Oklahoma City Thunder enter with the highest projected win total, set at 56.5, following their championship season. The Boston Celtics, known for their defensive intensity and dynamic wing play, open at 55.5. The Denver Nuggets, led by a core that includes Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, slot in close behind at a projected 53.5. The Los Angeles Lakers, riding the momentum of a 50-win campaign and significant offseason moves, open at 51.5, reflecting league-wide respect for their combination of star talent and roster depth.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Utah Jazz begin the year with the league’s lowest projected win total at just 18.5, highlighting a rebuilding phase and underscoring stark differences in forecasted performance across the NBA.
NBA Macau Exhibition Games
The NBA’s preseason jump-started spectacularly with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns traveling to Macau for games on October 10 and 12, 2024. The Venetian Arena—renovated to accommodate up to 14,000 spectators—hosted these matchups, part of a multi-year collaboration to deepen basketball’s roots in the Asia-Pacific region. This historic event brought high-level play to Macau and showcased household names on both rosters. The Nets, featuring 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medalist Dennis Schröder, Cam Johnson, and Ben Simmons, clashed with the Suns’ trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
Both teams embraced the opportunity, experimenting with player pairings and offensive sets while giving Macau’s passionate basketball community a close look at the NBA’s action. For the league, these games built on the momentum of previous international events and signaled the NBA’s continued investment in global markets.
The Lakers: Performance and Perspective
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 50-32 record marked a three-win improvement over preseason projections. LeBron James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. At the same time, Luka Dončić, acquired midseason, contributed 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists across 28 games with the Lakers, leading the team in scoring and all-around production. Austin Reaves added 20.2 points and 5.8 assists, and Rui Hachimura scored critically at 13.1 points per game. The Lakers finished with a defensive net rating of +1.2 and ranked in the league’s upper half in several key metrics. Offensively, the club averaged 113.4 points per game on 47.9% shooting from the field, including 36.6% from beyond the arc, and stayed competitive by combining strong interior defense with consistent bench production.
Despite these achievements, Los Angeles could not convert regular-season momentum into a deep playoff run. Facing the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, the Lakers struggled to match defensive intensity and bench scoring—factors that will weigh into offseason roster decisions.
Projection Versus Reality
Each season, the NBA’s parity ensures that preseason odds only offer a partial glimpse of the coming year. The Thunder, Celtics, and Nuggets all outperformed or closely matched preseason expectations, while the Lakers’ steady rise was mirrored by the relentless pace of their conference rivals. These win total projections, sourced from league oddsmakers before opening night, serve as benchmarks and motivators as franchises plot strategies and personnel moves for the next campaign.
Looking Ahead
The NBA’s broadening international approach, exemplified by major events like the Macau exhibitions, underscores the league’s commitment to expanding basketball’s influence beyond North America. Meanwhile, the razor-thin margins between the league’s elite reinforce the importance of roster continuity, health, and in-season adaptations. The quest for another championship continues for the Lakers and their counterparts, focusing on building on recent progress while remaining vigilant to the ever-changing competitive landscape. The stage is set for another unpredictable and compelling season.
