playNBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsOct 27, 2026, 07:00 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsPlenty of intriguing storylines have emerged just one week into the 2026-27 NBA season.The defending Eastern and Western Conference champions have been shaky to begin their title defenses. The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks started the season 0-3 amid ring night drama, while the San Antonio Spurs dropped games against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder before recording their first win against the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, on Saturday.Their struggles have allowed other contenders to take center stage, such as Luka Doncic putting up 52 points against the Utah Jazz on Sunday en route to a 3-0 start for the Los Angeles Lakers. Injuries have already started to take their toll, too. The Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, the Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs and the Thunder’s Jalen Williams all suffered injuries during opening week that will sideline them, with Williams being stretchered off the court.Our analysts looked at what has surprised them the most so far, some bold predictions for the rest of the season and which newcomer made the best first impression.
Then, our reporters answered the biggest questions facing 12 title contenders based on ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, which projects every team’s chances of making the 2027 NBA Finals.Let’s break down the best and worst moments from opening week.Note: BPI chances account for games through the morning on Monday, Oct. 26. Jump to a contender question: BOS | CLE | DEN | DET HOU | LAL | MIN | NY OKC | PHI | SA | TORWhat has surprised you most so far?Bobby Marks: There is still a lot of basketball left this season, but Memphis has already stood out in the first week.The Grizzlies followed their strong preseason (3-1) with regular-season wins at home against the Utah Jazz and on the road against the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Memphis’ 3-0 record after opening week is its best start since the 2017-18 season.Early-season success can be attributed to guard Ty Jerome, who appeared in only 15 games last season, and highly touted rookie Cameron Boozer. In the first three games, Jerome has scored 45, 28 and 31 points.
The 104 points trail only Ja Morant for the most points in Grizzlies history through the first three games. In the win at Sacramento, Boozer became the fifth player (Ben Simmons, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Maurice Stokes) in NBA history with at least 10 rebounds and four assists in their first three games.From a team perspective, Memphis is winning games on the boards and with extra possessions. The Grizzlies rank first in offensive rebound percentage, second in offensive rebounds and third in second-chance points.Overall, it’s a surprising start to the season for a team that ranked 24th in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index before the season.Ben Golliver: Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs didn’t lose consecutive games after the All-Star break last season, so it was jarring to see them open this season with losses to the Thunder and Rockets.Oklahoma City squeezed the life out of San Antonio’s offense, holding Wembanyama to 1-of-13 (7.7%) shooting — easily the worst shooting performance of his four-year career. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson also deployed a four-guard starting lineup that couldn’t slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or reliably convert when dared to shoot from outside.Wembanyama found more success against Houston, but the 7-foot-4 center had a potential game-tying basket stuffed at the rim by 6-7 guard Amen Thompson.
After blowing lead after lead to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, the Spurs’ late-game offense and Wembanyama’s decision-making in clutch situations will be scrutinized all season. The early returns have been concerning for a young team with championship aspirations.Zach Kram: I initially planned to write my answer about Mario Hezonja, who has played a much larger role than expected in Cleveland. The former No. 5 pick averaged 9.5 points in 19.5 minutes in his first two games after a six-year absence from the NBA.But then the Knicks lost at home against Orlando to fall to 0-3 after close defeats against Philadelphia and Boston. New York has lost as many games in a week as it did during the 2026 playoffs!One rotten week shouldn’t cause real concern about New York’s longer-term chances to repeat; after all, the team was frustratingly inconsistent throughout last season, as well, before finally finding its rhythm in the playoffs.But if you squint, there are a few early warning signs worth monitoring.
Mikal Bridges is averaging only 3.3 PPG on 22% shooting, and the bench hasn’t been as helpful as it was during the Knicks’ title run. Those trends need to change for the Knicks to reclaim their place atop the Eastern Conference.What’s the one contract situation fans should keep a close eye on?Marks: There are actually three players we should focus on.The first two are Tyrese Maxey and Anthony Edwards. Both players are under contract for the next three seasons, but have significant financial implications for the future. If Maxey and Edwards are named MVP or All-NBA (there is also the criteria for Defensive Player of the Year), then either player is eligible to sign a four-year, $304 million supermax extension next summer, with the first year of the deal beginning in 2029-30.Through the first week of the season, Maxey (28.8 PPG) and Edwards (28.7 PPG) rank in the top 10 in points per game.
Maxey trails only Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Zach LaVine in minutes per game.The other player to watch is LaVine. On an expiring $49 million contract, LaVine ranks third in points per game (29 PPG) for the winless Kings. If he has a strong season and Sacramento continues to sit at the bottom of the standings, will there be a trade market for him closer to the February deadline?Because LaVine’s salary is more than the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception, teams over the first and second apron are not allowed to sign him if he were bought out of his contract. That eliminates the Denver Nuggets, Warriors, Knicks, Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Thunder and Phoenix Suns from signing LaVine.Which newcomer made the best first impression?Golliver: LaMelo Ball has delivered a much-needed breath of fresh air to the Timberwolves, who appear happier and less burdened than during a string of frustrating postseason exits.
Though Ball’s scoring has been hit or miss, his presence as a creator has paid immediate dividends for franchise guard Edwards, who torched the Heat for 45 points in the season opener.Despite his phenomenal talent, Edwards’ turnover issues, streaky outside shooting and lack of stamina have contributed to Minnesota’s past playoff struggles. Ball can help with all those issues. Edwards should be spared from some playmaking duties, benefit from higher-quality looks and encounter fewer double-teams thanks to Ball, who can make aggressive defenses pay with his range, driving ability and passing instincts.Minnesota sacrificed frontcourt depth and physicality to acquire Ball, but forwards Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga boast good athleticism and enough size to support center Rudy Gobert. Thanks largely to Ball’s impact, the new-look Timberwolves have been significantly more watchable to open the new season.What’s a bold prediction you’d like to make after seeing a week of games?Kram: Golden State will win fewer than 30 games.
Coming off a 37-win campaign, the Warriors didn’t have the highest expectations this season due to injuries and a quiet summer — but they’ve failed to meet even that low bar in the early going. The Warriors are 0-3, and on Sunday, they started a lineup that looked like a group you’d see in the second half of a preseason game: Brandon Williams, Gui Santos, Will Richard, Yaxel Lendeborg and Graham Ike.Lendeborg has been one of the best rookies so far, but the Warriors have little size, little scoring outside Stephen Curry
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