NBA Eastern Conference best team
The Eastern Conference appears wide open, but which team will emerge as the best in 2025-26
It’s almost time, basketball fans.
The 2025-26 NBA season is rapidly approaching as we’re now less than a week from tip-off.
The season begins with a must-see doubleheader between four Western Conference teams with NBA title aspirations.
It begins with the Houston Rockets − headlined by the addition of former MVP Kevin Durant this offseason − heading to Oklahoma City to face the defending NBA champion Thunder and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in OKC, which will be raising a banner after winning the NBA championship last season and will also receive their rings in a pregame ceremony.
That will be immediately followed by Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a Pacific Division showdown in Los Angeles. The biggest news in this one is that four-time NBA MVP and all-time scoring leader LeBron James will miss Opening Night and the next couple of weeks due to a sciatica issue on his right side and nerve irritation in his glute.
Here’s all the information you need to know on how to watch and more on the star-studded NBA Opening Night.
When does NBA season start?
The action starts with the doubleheader between the Rockets-Thunder and Lakers-Warriors.
What is the schedule for NBA Opening Night?
Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 10 p.m.: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
TV channel, streaming options for NBA Opening Night
A new season brings new ways to watch and stream the NBA this year, with the league transitioning to NBC and streaming services Peacock and Prime Video starting with the opening night doubleheader.
Both the Thunder-Rockets and Lakers-Warriors games will air on NBC and stream on Peacock next Tuesday night.
Stream NBA Opening Night doubleheader on Peacock
NBA Opening Night betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 16:
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Spread: Thunder by 7.5 points
Over/under: 226.5 points
Moneyline: Thunder (-290), Rockets (+235)
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
Spread: Warriors by 1.5 points
Over/under: 223 points
Moneyline: Warriors (-120), Lakers (+100)
