The opening week of the 2025-26 NBA season has delivered a flurry of excitement, with historic individual performances, surprising team successes, and a wave of injuries affecting several franchises. Victor Wembanyama’s dominant start and rookie VJ Edgecombe’s record-breaking debut have headlined the early action.
The season tipped off on October 21, 2025, with an immediate classic as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Houston Rockets 125-124 in double overtime, setting the tone for a week filled with dramatic finishes and high-scoring affairs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch play secured the win, while Alperen Şengün’s career-high 39 points highlighted Houston’s effort. This game exemplified the competitive intensity that has characterized the first seven days, with multiple games going down to the wire and players stepping up in key moments.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has been the standout performer, averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 6.0 blocks through the first three games, making him the first player in NBA history to reach 100 points and 18 blocks to start a season. His reduced reliance on three-point shooting and enhanced interior play have transformed his game, positioning him as an early MVP frontrunner. The Spurs’ 4-0 start, despite a weak early schedule, has surprised many, with Wembanyama’s two-way dominance fueling their rise to the top of the Western Conference.
Rookies have made an immediate impact, led by VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers, who scored 34 points in his debut—the most by a player in their first NBA game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959. Edgecombe’s 14 points in the first quarter set a new record, surpassing LeBron James, and his overall performance helped the 76ers rally to a win over the Boston Celtics. Other rookies like Cedric Coward of the Memphis Grizzlies have also impressed, with Coward averaging strong numbers and filling in admirably amid team injuries.
Team surprises include the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls starting undefeated, with the 76ers going 4-0 despite injuries to key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid, and the Bulls defeating expected Eastern Conference contenders. However, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled, ranking last in offensive efficiency, raising concerns about their playoff chances in a loaded Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors have relied heavily on Draymond Green at center due to roster limitations, highlighting early-season adjustments.
Injuries have plagued several teams, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers hit hard by multiple absences, leading to early hardship exceptions and signings. The Los Angeles Lakers are managing without LeBron James and Luka Dončić, relying on Austin Reaves, who scored 51 points in one game but couldn’t prevent a loss in another. Overall, 11 players are out with hamstring injuries, contributing to a league-wide challenge in maintaining roster stability.
Scoring has been prolific, with 16 forty-point games in the first week—the most in league history—driven in part by a surge in free throw attempts, averaging 27.7 per game, the highest rate since the 1990-91 season. While this trend may regress as players adjust to officiating, it has contributed to offensive explosions and record-breaking individual performances. The league is also addressing gambling-related investigations and potential changes to injury reporting to enhance transparency.
Looking ahead, the NBA Cup begins its group stage, adding tournament excitement to the regular season, with key matchups like Boston vs. Philadelphia and the Warriors visiting the Bucks. Rookie Cooper Flagg faces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time, and the week promises more compelling storylines as teams jockey for early positioning.