At last, the 2025-26 regular season is here. The Thunder will receive their championship rings on Tuesday and then look to remain on top in what’s expected to be a loaded Western Conference. Which teams are best equipped to challenge Oklahoma City? Will Cleveland and New York live up to lofty expectations in the East? Are Detroit and Orlando ready to make the next step and establish themselves as true factors? In addition to those questions, there’s a lot for fantasy managers to sift through in the days before Tuesday’s opener. Here’s a look at the Week 1 slate and some key storylines.
Week 1 Games Played
3 Games: ATL, BOS, BRK, CHA, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, IND, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHX, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR, WAS
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2 Games: CHI, DEN, HOU, NOR, PHI, UTA
Week 1 Back-to-backs
Tuesday-Wednesday: None
Wednesday-Thursday: None
Thursday-Friday: GSW
Friday-Saturday: ATL, MEM, ORL, PHX
Saturday-Sunday: CHA, IND
Sunday-Monday (Week 2): BOS, BRK, CLE, DAL, DET, LAL, MIN, POR, SAS, TOR
Week 1 Storylines of Note
– Tuesday and Thursday are the light schedule days for the opening week.
As has become tradition, the NBA regular season opens with a Tuesday night doubleheader. Houston will visit Oklahoma City (6:30 PM Eastern, NBC and Peacock) in the opener as the Thunder, who could be without Jalen Williams, receive their championship rings, with the nightcap being Golden State’s trip south to face the Lakers (10 PM Eastern, NBC and Peacock). The most notable injury for the four teams playing on Tuesday is LeBron James’ absence due to sciatica. Gabe Vincent was part of the Lakers’ starting lineup for Friday’s preseason finale and will remain in that role for the foreseeable future. He’s primarily an option for managers needing three-pointers. While those who have Luka Donĉić or Austin Reaves rostered should expect their usage numbers to increase.
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Thursday’s doubleheader opens with a rematch of the NBA Finals, as the Thunder visit the Pacers, followed by the Warriors hosting the Nuggets. Indiana’s perimeter situation will grab the attention of many fantasy managers. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) is…
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