By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
From a championship ring celebration and a statement victory from the new look Philadelphia 76ers to a convincing introduction to life after LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers, it has been on fire from day one. And with the opening week continuing through October 26, the attention now shifts to several important tests as we have Knicks vs. Celtics, 76ers vs. Bucks, Lakers vs. Jazz, and Nuggets vs. Warriors on the schedule.
The New York Knicks enter the campaign as defending champions after ending a 53 year wait for another title. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has assembled a roster featuring James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, immediately raising expectations across the Eastern Conference. Out West, Luka Dončić has inherited the responsibility of leading the Lakers, while Stephen Curry and the Warriors are trying to prove that their championship era is not quite over.
These teams have already offered intriguing early evidence. The Lakers defeated Golden State 127-105 on October 21, while Philadelphia followed its opening night victory over New York with a remarkable 114-106 comeback against Cleveland on October 22. Both results have added momentum to the season’s biggest storylines heading into the weekend, and the NBA betting odds are all the better for it.
Dončić Announces a New Era
The Lakers’ first game of the post LeBron era could hardly have gone much better. Los Angeles defeated Golden State 127-105, delivering a convincing performance that suggested Dončić has the supporting cast to make the Lakers a serious Western Conference contender.
Dončić finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He controlled the offence and produced a memorable half court buzzer beater to shut Yaxel Landeborg’s trash talking. Austin Reaves added 23 points, while the new centre Walker Kessler enjoyed an outstanding debut with 26 points, nine rebounds and a perfect 12 for 12 shooting performance.
Kessler’s arrival is huge since the Lakers needed greater interior presence, and his finishing around the rim and rebounding provide a useful complement to Dončić’s ability to create opportunities in the pick and roll. Reaves also demonstrated why he is worth a max extension and represents an important investment in the team’s future. LA took control after halftime, outscoring Golden State 36-16 in the third quarter and establishing a lead that reached 35 points.
For Golden State, the defeat was a sobering start. Curry scored 23 points, including 20 in the first half, but the Warriors struggled after the break and were without several important players. Jimmy Butler III, Kristaps Porzingis, and other rotation contributors were unavailable, leaving Curry with limited support that never came.
The result should not be treated as a definitive verdict on either team. The Lakers benefited from a favourable debut and a depleted opponent, while Golden State has time to recover its injured players and played their rookie for long stretches. Nevertheless, Lakeshow has made an encouraging first statement, and Luka has shown that the franchise can remain relevant without James.
76ers With a 29 Point Comeback
Philadelphia’s second game was the most dramatic so far. After defeating the Knicks 106-100 on opening night, the Sixers appeared to be heading toward a disappointing home debut against Cleveland. Instead, they overturned a 29 point deficit to win 114-106, the most remarkable comeback of the young season.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia again with 32 points, while Embiid contributed 24. James recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Brown finished with 21 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. VJ Edgecombe added 11 points as all five Philadelphia starters reached double figures.
Cleveland looked firmly in control during the first half. Donovan Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while the Cavaliers exploited Philadelphia’s turnovers and interior defensive vulnerabilities. Cleveland led 69-45 at halftime and seemed capable of spoiling James’ home debut.
The momentum changed after the break. Philadelphia improved its defensive intensity, forced turnovers, and began attacking in transition. Maxey and James helped initiate the comeback, Embiid scored seven consecutive points to give the Sixers their first lead, and Brown’s aggressive fourth quarter scoring helped establish separation.
The victory is significant because it revealed both the potential and the imperfections of Philadelphia’s new roster. James’ influence was apparent when Philly needed to accelerate the game and make better decisions. At 41, he no longer needs to dominate every possession to affect the outcome. His playmaking, rebounding, and ability to organise teammates could prove invaluable during a long season. Two wins against the Knicks and Cavaliers give Philadelphia an impressive start.
Defending Champions Face a Very Familiar Rival
New York’s next major test comes against Boston, a rivalry that stretches across decades and now carries an additional storyline. The Knicks are defending champions, while the Celtics are rebuilding around Jayson Tatum after losing Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.
The Knicks defeated San Antonio 4-1 in the 2026 Finals, finishing their postseason with a 16-3 record. Jalen Brunson’s 45 point performance in the decisive Game 5 earned him Finals MVP honours, confirming his status as the franchise’s central figure. New York has retained most of its championship core, although Andre Drummond has replaced Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt rotation.
For Boston, Tatum’s expected return to full health offers the Celtics a potential foundation for another playoff run, but replacing Brown’s scoring, defence and experience will not be straightforward. The team’s ability to redistribute those responsibilities will determine whether it can remain competitive against the East’s strongest teams. Paul George had an unbelievable debut, but that is unsustainable.
For New York, this matchup is an opportunity to show that its opening night defeat against Philadelphia was merely an early setback. The Knicks have continuity, championship experience, and an established offensive hierarchy. Boston has talent and motivation, but must demonstrate that its altered roster can compete with the reigning champions.
The wider Eastern Conference picture makes this game particularly interesting. Philadelphia has emerged as a major threat, Cleveland still has Mitchell and James Harden, and Miami has added Giannis Antetokounmpo. New York cannot afford to assume that last season’s formula will automatically produce another championship.
Philadelphia Meets a Team in Transition
Philadelphia’s next challenge comes against Milwaukee, which begins its first season without Antetokounmpo after trading the franchise cornerstone to Miami in June. The Bucks received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, and the 13th overall pick, Nate Ament. Rookie Brayden Burries arrives with encouraging Summer League performances.
Milwaukee’s immediate priority is identifying a new offensive leader and developing a sustainable team identity. Herro has the scoring ability to assume a larger role, while Turner offers interior defence and shooting. However, replacing Antetokounmpo’s combination of scoring, rebounding, and defense is a taller task than redistributing his minutes.
A rebuilding season appears likely as they have a projected 24-58 season, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Milwaukee’s new direction. The Bucks may not be championship contenders, but their size and athleticism could test Philadelphia’s interior defence.
Philadelphia should enter this matchup with higher expectations after two strong showings. James, Brown, Embiid, Maxey, and VJ provide a remarkable collection of offensive talent, but the Sixers must prove they can sustain their recent momentum. The comeback against Cleveland demonstrated resilience, although the 29 point deficit also showed how vulnerable the team can be when its defensive organisation breaks down.
Walker Kessler’s Return to Utah
The Lakers travel to Utah for a reunion with their new centre’s former team. Walker Kessler’s outstanding debut against Golden State has already raised expectations, and his return to the Jazz provides an opportunity to assess how much his addition could improve Los Angeles over the course of the season.
Utah finished 22-60 last campaign and is focused on developing its young talent. Second overall pick Darryn Peterson headlines the next generation, alongside Keyonte George and Ace Bailey, who have shown flashes on multiple occasions. Lauri Markkanen provides scoring, while Jaren Jackson Jr. offers defensive versatility and rim protection. On paper, the Jazz have enough individual talent to create difficult matchups, but their main challenge is building a cohesive team.
For the Lakers, the priorities are different. Dončić already seems to have a consistent partnership with Kessler, Reaves, and the rest of the supporting cast, but it needs to be a staple. The opening night victory against Golden State was encouraging, but one game is not enough to show whether LA has the depth to compete in the West.
Kessler’s screening, finishing, and rebounding could be especially useful against Utah. His familiarity with the Jazz may also make the matchup more personal, although the Lakers will be primarily concerned with securing another win and establishing their new identity.
Steph Curry’s Playoff Challenge
Denver and Golden State are a great litmus test for Western Conference ambitions. The Nuggets finished 54-28 last season but suffered a first round playoff exit, leaving questions about whether their supporting cast can consistently deliver alongside Nikola Jokić.
Jokić remains one of the league’s most influential players. Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun provide a strong foundation, while the additions of DeMar DeRozan, Bruce Brown, and Marvin Bagley III offer further rotation options.
As always, Denver’s task is to translate its regular season strength into postseason success. Jokić can keep the team competitive against almost anyone, but the Nuggets need dependable contributions from their supporting cast when opponents concentrate their defensive attention on him.
At Golden State, Curry is entering his 18th NBA season after the Warriors finished 37-45 and failed to advance beyond the Play-In. Butler is expected to return from knee surgery around January or February, while Porzingis is out indefinitely.
The Warriors have re-signed the Latvian and retained head coach Steve Kerr on a multi year agreement. They drafted Yaxel Lendeborg, who impressed during the Summer League, and extended Podziemski. Those moves offer potential, but GSW needs better availability and greater consistency from its supporting players.
The Lakers’ opening victory exposed some of the Warriors’ vulnerabilities, particularly their difficulty maintaining offensive production and defending the interior. Denver could present similar problems with Jokić’s ability to exploit mismatches. Golden State can compete when Curry is healthy and productive, but reaching the playoffs will require a collective effort.
Inside the NBA’s Predictions and Individual Awards
The season opening discussions on Inside the NBA have focused on the league’s dramatic offseason changes. The panel also made their finals picks. Philadelphia’s roster has the star power to reach the Finals, but the Thunder and Spurs have the continuity and structure that make them compelling alternatives. New York also deserves consideration because its championship winning core remains largely intact.
Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal chose OKC and Philly in the Finals, Kenny Smith picked the Spurs and the Heat, while Ernie Johnson settled on OKC and the Raptors. Interesting balance of established champions, new team compositions, and teams who came close recently. Interestingly, nobody chose the Knicks to make the Finals again.
The individual award races see Wembanyama as an early MVP favourite, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić among his principal competitors. Dončić could enter the conversation if he leads the Lakers to a strong record while maintaining his usual averages of around 30, 8, and 8.
Wembanyama is also a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year because of his rim protection and ability to influence opponents without necessarily recording a block. Rookie of the Year remains harder to forecast, with Peterson and Dybantsa leading the early odds.
Stake’s Opening Week Odds Boosts
For the pundits among you who like to wager a bit, Stake’s new promotion introduces boosted NBA odds on selected matches. Boosts apply to both teams in each eligible game. The upcoming Knicks-Celtics, 76ers-Bucks, Lakers-Jazz and Nuggets-Warriors fixtures provide plenty of potential talking points, although the availability of individual boosts should be checked directly on the platform.
Certain conditions apply: boosted selections cannot be included in multis, bets must be placed before tip off, and boosts cannot be combined with other promotions. Cashing out means the boost is not available again on that match, and Stake can withdraw a boost at any time. Fixtures are also subject to change.
Team news, injuries, recent performances, and matchup dynamics remain essential considerations. Philadelphia’s comeback against Cleveland demonstrates the potential, but it does not guarantee future victories. Similarly, the Lakers’ dominant opening performance should be considered alongside Golden State’s injury absences.
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