NBA SEASON 2025/26: DOMINANT THUNDER, CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE AND A NEW ERA OF THE LEAGUE

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Tuesday, October 22, 2025 | Start of 80th NBA Season

Thunder as Clear Favorites, Unpredictable Middle of the Table and Historic All-Star Game in New Intuit Dome

The jubilee 80th NBA season is here! With a series of changes, a new NBA Cup format, and a historic All-Star Game in the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the league is preparing for perhaps the most unpredictable season in recent history.

KEY SEASON DATES: WHAT AWAITS YOU

The 2025/26 basketball year offers a carefully timed schedule full of highlights:

Regular Season and Special Events

The regular season runs from October 21, 2025 to April 12, 2026 - the traditional 82 games for each team over six months of intense action.

The NBA Cup returns in its third edition from October 31 to December 16, 2025. This mid-season tournament that debuted a few years ago is gaining popularity and brings extra motivation and intensity to November and December when fatigue from the regular season might otherwise set in.

The All-Star Game on February 15, 2026 will be historic - it will be held for the first time in the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This state-of-the-art stadium, home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers, opened in 2024, offers the most modern technologies and fan experience.

Playoffs and Finals

The Play-In Tournament April 14-17, 2026 - this format that decides the final playoff spots brings drama to teams in 7th-10th place in both conferences.

Playoffs start April 18, 2026 with the traditional best-of-seven format in all series.

The NBA Finals begin June 4 with a possible seventh deciding game scheduled for June 21, 2026.

TOP CONTENDERS: WHO HAS A REAL CHANCE AT THE TITLE?

This season brings a more clearly defined elite than in recent years:

1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - CLEAR FAVORITES

The Thunder enter the season as the strongest team on paper and paper form often translates to reality. What makes OKC so special?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian guard, enters the season as a leading MVP candidate. His combination of scoring, playmaking ability, and defense makes him a complete player. Last season he averaged over 30 points per game and this year he could go even higher.

But the Thunder aren't a one-man show. They have one of the deepest rosters in the league with a perfect combination of youth and experience. Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams - these are names that will shape the NBA for the next decade. Add veterans who know the path to success and you have a recipe for a championship.

2. DENVER NUGGETS - JOKIĆ NEVER MISSES

Nikola Jokić, the Serbian center, remains a constant that never misses. The three-time MVP continues to redefine the center position with his exceptional vision, passing creativity, and all-around skillset.

The Nuggets have a proven system of play that has been shown to work in the most important moments, including their championship run a few years ago. Jamal Murray provides scoring punch, Aaron Gordon brings versatility, and Michael Porter Jr. is a deadly shooter.

Denver's ability to dominate both in the regular season and playoffs is rare. They're not dependent on one player - when Jokić has an off night, others can step up.

3. NEW YORK KNICKS - DOMINANCE OF WEAK EAST

The Knicks are poised to dominate the relatively weak Eastern Conference. Madison Square Garden is buzzing again with championship expectations.

Jalen Brunson, the American point guard, had a breakthrough last season and enters this year with even higher ambitions. His ability to control the pace of the game, score in clutch moments, and lead the team makes the Knicks legitimate contenders.

Under the leadership of Tom Thibodeau, famous for his defensive philosophy, the Knicks have built a strong defensive system. Thibodeau never builds flashy teams but builds teams that suffocate you with defense and win ugly games - exactly what you need in the playoffs.

4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - SECOND FORCE OF THE EAST

The Cavaliers represent the second major force of the Eastern Conference with Finals ambitions. Their core is young, hungry, and talented.

Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland form one of the best backcourt tandems in the league. Mitchell is a proven playoff performer who can take over games, Garland is a creative playmaker with a deadly shot.

In the paint, Evan Mobley provides defensive strength that few teams have. His ability to defend multiple positions, alter shots, and protect the rim makes the Cavs a complicated opponent for anyone.

CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE: UNPREDICTABILITY EVERYWHERE

While the top is relatively clear, the middle of the table in both conferences is absolute chaos:

WESTERN CONFERENCE - EVERYONE IS A CONTENDER

Almost every team except OKC and Denver sees itself as a playoff contender. And it's not unrealistic - the differences in quality are minimal.

Strong competition for 3rd-10th place means that:

• Memphis Grizzlies with Ja Morant's return could be the third seed or ninth
• Sacramento Kings with their exciting offense can be anywhere
• New Orleans Pelicans with Zion Williamson (if he stays healthy) are a dark horse
• Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron and AD still have championship DNA

This unpredictability makes every game important. The difference between home-court advantage in the first round and the play-in tournament can be a few wins.

EASTERN CONFERENCE - OPPOSITE PROBLEM

The East has the opposite problem - weak level outside the top. After the Knicks, Cavaliers, and maybe the Celtics and Bucks, quality drops quickly.

This creates a great opportunity for average teams to make the playoffs and possibly even surprise. Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat - all these teams could finish anywhere from 5th to 10th place.

An open path for a surprise team means some young hungry team could make an unexpected playoff run.

FINALS PREDICTIONS: PATH TO CHAMPIONSHIP

How will it all turn out? Here's the most likely scenario:

Conference Finals

Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

This will likely be the best series of the entire playoffs. The young energy of Thunder against the experience and system of the Nuggets. SGA against Jokić. It will be high-level chess.

Eastern Conference: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Battle for the right to represent the East in the Finals. Madison Square Garden playoff atmosphere is something you have to experience. The Cavs will be a tough opponent but the Knicks' home advantage could decide it.

NBA Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks

The Thunder are favorites and deservedly so. Their depth, athleticism, and two-way play should be too much for the younger Knicks team.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder champions in 6 games.

TANKING: BATTLE FOR WORST RECORD

At the opposite end of the spectrum, several teams are fighting (or rather not fighting) for the best draft pick:

Washington Wizards

Clear candidate for worst team in the league. The Wizards are in full rebuild mode, have no clear star, and their roster looks like a G-League all-star team.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are in full reconstruction after trading their stars. They're collecting draft picks and young assets with eyes on the future 3-4 years from now.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are still searching for identity. They have some interesting young players but not enough for competitive basketball. Another high draft pick would help.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are experiencing a restart after the breakup of the star team. The era of Durant, Harden, Irving is gone and now they're starting from scratch.

FINAL STANDINGS PREDICTION

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. New York Knicks (54-28)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30)
3. Boston Celtics (50-32)
4. Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (46-36)
6. Miami Heat (44-38)
7. Orlando Magic (42-40)
8. Indiana Pacers (41-41)
9. Atlanta Hawks (39-43)
10. Chicago Bulls (38-44)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
2. Denver Nuggets (56-26)
3. Phoenix Suns (50-32)
4. Memphis Grizzlies (49-33)
5. Los Angeles Lakers (47-35)
6. Dallas Mavericks (46-36)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (45-37)
8. Golden State Warriors (44-38)
9. Sacramento Kings (43-39)
10. New Orleans Pelicans (42-40)

WHAT MAKES THIS SEASON SPECIAL?

Passing the torch to a new generation - Young stars like SGA, Luka, Tatum, Booker are taking over the league from veterans like LeBron, Curry, Durant.

NBA Cup is gaining significance - The third edition should see even greater buy-in from teams and fans.

New arena for All-Star - Intuit Dome showcase of the most modern technologies in pro sports.

Unpredictability - Outside the clear top, anything can happen, which makes every night exciting.

The 2025/26 season promises a unique combination of predictability at the top and chaos in the middle. With young stars, new formats, and unpredictable twists - buckle up for a wild ride!

Photo: AllSportLife

More information:24live.com