The 2025-26 NBA Season is set to begin on October 21st, with four international preseason games scheduled ahead of the opening night. ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported that the opening night will feature a battle between the Lebron James and Luka Doncic led Lakers and the Stephen Curry led Warriors.
Lebron James’s 3 year, 165 Million extension will make this upcoming season his 23rd. This will be the all-time record for the most seasons played by an NBA player, surpassing Vince Carter’s 22 season Hall of Fame career. One things to watch in this Lakers-Warriors match-up are how DeAndre Ayton will fit with the Lakers, especially as the big man to support Luka Doncic. This season will also put to test whether Jimmy Butler can actually make the Warriors contenders and where Jonathan Kuminga will end up.
Other than this classic west coast match-up is the highly anticipated Thunders-Rockets game on opening day. The game will feature the reigning 2024-2025 champions, who is looking to be the first team since the 2018 Warriors to win back-to-back championships. The Rockets had a fantastic last regular season but came up short in a first-round playoff exit. Somethings to watch in this match-up include the result of the Rockets’ offseason moves, including Kevin Durant‘s fit with the Rockets offense, Clint Capela back in Houston, and Dorian Finney-Smith’s contribution to the Rockets offense and defense.
The 2025-2026 NBA season is going to have an exciting start, featuring two division rivalries and many superstars. The NBA has also announced its Christmas day games in the recent announcement, which features:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets at LA Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
The biggest story lines include the Texas match-up between the Victor Wembanyama led Spurs and the Thunders, the Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry match-up between the Mavericks and Warriors, and the Northwest Division match-up between the playoff contending Timberwolves and Nuggets.
The League Leader 
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