NBA Season Tips Off: Thunder Aim to Repeat Amid Star-Studded Western Race and Wide-Open East

The wait is over: NBA basketball is back. The league returns Tuesday night with a slate of heavyweight matchups, headlined by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder beginning their title defense against the Houston Rockets. It’s the start of a season brimming with intrigue—new faces in new places, historic extensions, and championship aspirations spread across both conferences.

Oklahoma City’s offseason centered on securing its young core for the long haul. The franchise re-signed reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams, and rising big man Chet Holmgren to long-term deals reportedly worth nearly $800 million combined. With continuity and chemistry already on their side, the Thunder are viewed as the early favorites to repeat.

Their first challenge comes from Kevin Durant and the Rockets—a matchup that carries both historical and emotional weight. Durant, who began his career in Oklahoma City, now leads a retooled Houston squad eager to prove it belongs in the Western elite. The Thunder, meanwhile, aim to show that last year’s championship was just the start of a dynasty in progress.

While all eyes will be on Oklahoma City’s title defense, the broader story of opening week is the league’s balance of power. Veteran dynasties, emerging superstars, and resilient franchises all have a legitimate path to contention, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.

1. Western Conference: Legacy vs. Youth

In the Western Conference, a fascinating clash of eras takes shape. The Golden State Warriors, now with Jimmy Butler joining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, are chasing one last deep playoff run after a decade of dominance. Tuesday night, they’ll face Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers, a team rebuilt around youth and versatility after last season’s first-round exit. For Golden State, this season feels like both a reunion and a farewell tour. Curry, entering his 17th campaign, remains among the league’s most efficient scorers, while Butler’s arrival brings grit and postseason experience to a team that has struggled defensively in recent years. A strong start could reaffirm the Warriors’ place among the West’s contenders—or signal that their championship window has finally closed. The Thunder’s biggest challengers may come from Denver and San Antonio. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets aim to rebound from a disappointing semifinal loss, banking on improved depth and health. Meanwhile, the Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, are one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams. After Wembanyama’s health scare late last season, San Antonio doubled down on building around the 7-foot-4 phenom with key acquisitions and a revamped offense. Adding intrigue to the West is the Dallas Mavericks, who feature rookie sensation Cooper Flagg alongside Anthony Davis in a bold frontcourt pairing. Their matchup against Wembanyama’s Spurs is expected to showcase the league’s next generation of stars—a preview of future MVP races and postseason battles.

2. Eastern Conference: Opportunity in Uncertainty

While the West looks stacked, the Eastern Conference enters the season with as many questions as contenders. The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off a 64-win campaign and the No. 1 seed, return their talented core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. After falling short in the conference finals, Cleveland opens its season Wednesday against a New York Knicks team facing massive expectations. The Knicks, bolstered by their Finals-or-bust mentality, have retooled around Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, adding veteran shooters to deepen their rotation. For a franchise still chasing its first Finals appearance since 1999, anything short of a title run would be considered a disappointment. Elsewhere in the East, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat continue to loom large, though both face injury setbacks entering the year. With the top teams vulnerable, the door may open for rising squads like the Orlando Magic or Philadelphia 76ers, each blending young talent with battle-tested veterans. Cleveland’s combination of youth, depth, and experience makes it the early favorite to control the conference again—but the parity in the East ensures that no lead is safe. As teams jostle for position, matchups like Cavs-Knicks could carry major implications by season’s end.

3. Early Predictions: The Road to June

As training camps turn into real games, the biggest question remains: Can the Thunder repeat? With Gilgeous-Alexander in MVP form and Holmgren developing into one of the league’s premier rim protectors, Oklahoma City has both talent and momentum on its side. But history offers perspective—no team has repeated as champions since the Warriors did it in 2018. In the West, most analysts see Denver and Golden State as the Thunder’s strongest competition, while the Spurs and Mavericks could surprise if their young stars develop quickly. In the East, Cleveland and New York headline the list of contenders, with Boston lurking as a wild card if its roster regains full health. The NBA’s current era is defined by its balance: there are no easy favorites and no guaranteed outcomes. From veterans like Curry and Durant to phenoms like Wembanyama and Flagg, the season promises constant shifts in momentum and narrative. By June, the league could crown a familiar champion—or see the rise of a new powerhouse. Either way, the 2025–26 campaign begins with something every fan loves: genuine uncertainty.