The 2025–26 NBA season tipped off with a bang. In one week, the next generation of stars announced themselves, a 7-foot-4 phenom raised the MVP bar even higher, and the defending champions reminded everyone they’re still the team to beat.
Meanwhile, a former powerhouse in Boston is slipping fast, and the Eastern Conference might be far more entertaining than expected.
Here are the five biggest takeaways from NBA Opening Week.
1. The Rookie Class Is Already Making Noise
The kids wasted no time proving they belong.
- Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks, entered the league with massive expectations—and after a rough debut against the San Antonio Spurs, he’s starting to find his rhythm.
The 19-year-old forward recorded his first breakout performance with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in Dallas’ 139–129 win over Toronto. He became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in a game, joining LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal, and Tracy McGrady.
Through three games, he’s averaging 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game—steady progress for the league’s newest face of the future.
- In San Antonio, rookie guard Dylan Harper looks NBA-ready right out of the gate. The Spurs’ No. 2 pick has helped the team open 3-0, averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 49% shooting.
He hasn’t even shared the floor yet with De’Aaron Fox, who remains sidelined, but when Fox returns, San Antonio will feature one of the most dynamic young backcourts in basketball alongside Harper and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
The Spurs’ early success suggests this trio could fast-track the franchise back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
Even talents outside of the lottery have shined in the early going like Cedric Coward, who’s quietly becoming one of the league’s early-season surprises.
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Coward with the 2025 first-round pick they acquired in the trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, and he’s already showing flashes of being an ideal replacement.
Coward is averaging 19.0 points while shooting an absurd 70.4% from the field and 72.7% from three, including a 27-point performance against Indiana where he went a perfect 6-for-6 from deep. He’s not just filling Bane’s role—he might end up outperforming it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, early second-rounder Ryan Kalkbrenner has been a pleasant surprise. With Mark Williams now in Phoenix, the rookie big man was thrust into the starting lineup immediately and has been more than serviceable.
He opened his NBA career with a double-double in his debut and followed that by going 7-for-7 from the field in a narrow 125–121 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. His rebounding and paint presence have stabilized a young Hornets frontcourt that desperately needed a reliable anchor.
Bottom line: this rookie class isn’t easing in—they’re impacting winning basketball from Day 1.
2. Victor Wembanyama Has Entered the “Best Player Alive” Conversation
Victor Wembanyama isn’t knocking on the door of superstardom anymore—he’s already inside.
Now in his third NBA season, the 7-foot-4 unicorn has elevated his game to unprecedented levels, averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, and 63% shooting through San Antonio’s first three games.
He became the first player in league history to record 100+ points and 15+ blocks over a team’s opening week.
Wembanyama’s dominance has been absolute: 40 points and 15 rebounds on Opening Night, followed by 29 points and nine blocks in a double-overtime win over New Orleans, and then a 31-point, six-block showing against Brooklyn.
His combination of shot creation, rim protection, and poise is giving the Spurs both star power and structure—and if he sustains this pace, the MVP debate might not last long.
3. The Celtics’ 0–3 Start Looks Worse Than the Record
It’s early, but the Boston Celtics don’t resemble the juggernaut that won the East two years ago.
Boston has started 0–3 with close losses to the 76ers, Knicks, and Pistons. Jaylen Brown has been the lone bright spot, averaging over 20 per game while Payton Pritchard and Derrick White have done their best to keep the offense afloat.
Still, without Jayson Tatum, and with key pieces like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford all on new teams, the Celtics look like a shell of their former selves.
They currently rank bottom-five in rebounds per game and have struggled to close out winnable contests.
And with the 2026 NBA Draft featuring elite forward prospects Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa, it’s fair to wonder if Boston might lean into a soft reset rather than fight for a low playoff seed. For a franchise that’s built its identity on contention, this version looks uncomfortably lost.
4. The Thunder Look Even Better Than Last Year
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder have already shown why they’re built to repeat.
At 3–0, OKC’s depth is carrying them through early absences to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso.
Players like Aaron Wiggins and rookie Ajay Mitchell have stepped up alongside stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, helping the Thunder survive two grueling double-overtime tests to start the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been unstoppable—dropping 55 points in a Finals rematch against Indiana and totaling 90 points across the first two games, the fifth-highest two-game start in league history. Holmgren followed that with a 31-point, 12-rebound effort against Atlanta.
The scary part? They’re doing all this without their second-best player in Williams. The Thunder are deep, disciplined, and already playing like a team that expects every opponent’s best shot. So far, they’ve handled it with championship composure.
5. The Eastern Conference Has Life
The East looked flat on paper entering the season—but through one week, there’s real intrigue bubbling beneath the surface.
- Charlotte has quietly emerged as one of the league’s top-scoring teams, shooting the lights out early and getting meaningful contributions from newcomers like Kalkbrenner.
- Philadelphia has started strong even without Paul George (knee) and with Joel Embiid on a managed workload, powered by Tyrese Maxey’s career-best scoring burst and VJ Edgecombe’s instant-impact debut.
- New York looks revitalized under Mike Brown, as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns form a surprisingly smooth offensive duo in the halfcourt.
- Orlando, meanwhile, is navigating growing pains integrating Desmond Bane, but the long-term offensive potential with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner is undeniable.
The top-end star power might not match the West, but parity and storylines are keeping the conference lively—and unpredictable.
Final Thoughts
From the rise of Cooper Flagg to Victor Wembanyama’s evolution into a full-blown MVP favorite, the NBA’s new era isn’t just coming—it’s already here. The Thunder look every bit like repeat contenders, Boston’s unraveling could reshape the draft, and even the East has life again.
If Opening Week was the appetizer, the rest of the 2025–26 season promises a full-course feast of chaos, competition, and breakout stars.
BSL Analyst
Hi there! My name is Jalon Dixon, but most people just call me Jay. As an aspiring, young sports writer and podcaster, I enjoy discussing sports (mainly basketball and football) and sharing my knowledge with others. Growing up right in the middle of Towson University, Morgan State, Goucher College and others, I have gotten the chance to learn so much about a handful of the different athletic teams that thrive here in Baltimore. I want to be the voice of local fans and teams that may not get the same spotlight as others, but still play a big part in our everyday lives. My motto is “Always Embrace Conversation,” so if you ever want to give me feedback on a piece or even just have a friendly sports debate, feel free to email me! Hope you enjoy my work and maybe even learn something along the way.