It’s arguably one of the best times of the year for the sports world. The MLB season just closed out with the Brewers claiming their first World Series title; the NFL is well underway with upsets, rivalries, and an array of international games; the NHL season is off to an entertaining start; and the NBA is back in full force with huge surprises and major upsets. Let’s look at the opening week of the fast-paced, loud, and electrifying NBA. Since October 20th, we’ve seen promising starts from long-overlooked teams, record-breaking individual stats, heartbreaking injuries, and more.
- Notable Teams of the Week
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While many teams started the season strong with undefeated records, the most notable undefeated teams were the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the Houston Rockets, their first win came in a blowout over the Dallas Mavericks and was followed by an exciting win over the San Antonio Spurs. This second win, with a last-minute block of Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-tying shot, marked the Rockets as notable contenders this season, especially because in the past, they have been second-tier in the public eye, overshadowed by teams such as the Thunder and Spurs. After this attention-grabbing win over the Spurs, the Rockets went on to defeat the energetic and talented Atlanta Hawks, moving them to a 3-0 record and the top of the Western Conference.
Another amazing performance from the Western Conference came from the Minnesota Timberwolves. With some strong off-season trades, especially the acquisition of LaMelo Ball, fans expected more wins from the Timberwolves. What they didn’t expect was the amount of energy and teamwork we’ve seen in these wins. The team is coming together, plays look smooth, and shots are being made from everywhere on the court. Even though they are not dominating teams and have recently faced their first losses of the season, you can always expect to see highlights and thrilling moments from these games.
- Notable Players of the Week
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With the first 50-point game of the 2026-2027 season, Luka Dončić not only carried the Lakers to a comeback win over the Utah Jazz but also set new records for himself and the league. Scoring 52 points with 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals, Dončić well surpassed his average of 34.3 points per game. He also became the first Lakers player in franchise history to record 50+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ rebounds in a single game. This performance bested Kevin Durant’s career total of 50-point games and marked Dončić’s place in the season’s history.
While they may not have recorded stats quite as incredible as Dončić’s, Ty Jerome of the Memphis Grizzlies and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers made quite an impression. Ty Jerome recorded a 56.3% FG, the best in NBA scoring so far. He also scored 100 points combined in the first three games of the season, only the second player in Grizzlies history to do so. His contributions led the Grizzlies to three consecutive wins (although their opponents were not particularly challenging).
Unlike the others on this list, Tyrese Maxey didn’t make any team history books with his stats; however, his contributions were no less important. Maxey put on strong offensive and defensive performances with a solid number of rebounds, assists, and three-pointers. He averaged almost 29 points per game, helping the 76ers win three of their four Week 1 games.
- Other Notable Moments
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Unfortunately for some teams, Week 1 brought with it some tragedies. One injury that got everyone talking was Jalen Williams’s. In the Thunder-Clippers game that took place Sunday night, Williams went up for a dunk, got crushed between two Clippers players, and came down at a bad angle on his left leg. The lower part of his leg appeared to snap in the most unnatural direction, and he was immediately carted off the court before undergoing surgery the next day. Just one day later, Thunder guard Carson Wallace suffered an in-game injury, causing him to need surgery for a torn labrum. The loss of both players could be detrimental to the otherwise promising OKC season.
Another interesting moment: fans turning against their own team. While the 76ers performed decently, their home opener against the Cavs came with some trouble. Before half-time, the team was down by almost 30 points, managed to turn the ball over 15 times, and seemed as though they could not make a shot to save their lives. Basketball fans, who are known for being loud and often embracing that mob mentality in the enclosed and crowded arenas, booed the team as they headed off into the locker room. Fortunately, this frustration seemed to inspire the 76ers, some players even stating that the team needed it, and they were able to come back out and pull off a much-needed win.
Finally, a weird, honorable mention for the champions of the 2025-2026 season: a couple in New York gave birth to a child and named him Knickson Fyve. Born in August, the boy has been seen across social media wearing Knicks attire, and now he gets to watch the team, though they have not given him much to watch. Hopefully, the Knicks can begin performing a bit better so the family doesn’t feel too ashamed of their name choice.