Health, hot starts and early trends: Best and worst from the first week of NBA

The 2025-26 NBA season has begun with notable off-court controversies involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games, as well as on-court highlights including a record 16 40-point games in the first week, featuring performances from players like Tyrese Maxey and Lauri Markkanen. Reporters are analyzing surprises, bold predictions, and rising stars, with a focus on teams such as the Lakers and Mavericks.

Victor Wembanyama has made a transformative shift in his game, reducing his three-point attempts significantly and leveraging his size to become an unstoppable offensive force, building on his generational defensive skills. Meanwhile, the 2025 draft class, including rookies like Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg, has impressed early, with multiple players making positive impacts across teams, indicating a strong future for these young talents.

Surprisingly, the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls have started undefeated, with the 76ers overcoming injuries to key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid, and the Bulls defeating top Eastern Conference teams. However, their success may not last due to issues like Philadelphia's lack of frontcourt size and Embiid's injury concerns, as well as Chicago's typical mid-season performance. Overall, the season's start shows unexpected parity, with last season's lower-ranked teams outperforming top teams early on, partly due to scheduling advantages.