The National Basketball Association (NBA) begins its 2025-26 regular season this Tuesday, October 21, 2025, with opening games broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The season tips off in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder face the Houston Rockets at 6:30 PM ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors versus the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. This season marks the start of an 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal signed with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon, replacing Warner Bros. Discovery.
The change aims to expand broadcast reach, with 75 more national games than last season, including streaming debuts on Peacock and Prime Video. However, Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged potential challenges for fans adapting to multiple platforms. The league launched tools like “Tap to Watch” on its official app to ease access to games.
Several stars face absences at the start due to injuries, including LeBron James, set to return in mid-November after a nerve issue. Other names like Jayson Tatum, with a torn Achilles, and Kyrie Irving, with a knee injury, alter dynamics for teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Mavericks.
Fragmented broadcasts demand quick adaptation
The new deal increases national games to over 200 annually, spread across ABC, ESPN, NBC, and streaming services. Platforms like Peacock will air up to three games per Monday, while Amazon covers doubleheaders on Thursdays starting in January 2026.
Fans report initial confusion with the rotation of broadcasters, but the NBA mitigates this with daily guides on its site and app. Silver noted at a recent event that technology will simplify access over time.
Ownership changes boost record valuations
The Boston Celtics debut under majority control of Bill Chisholm’s group, following a $6.1 billion sale in August. This transaction set a record for U.S. sports franchises, only surpassed by the Lakers, valued at $10 billion with Mark Walter taking majority control.
Chisholm, a private equity investor, pledged to continue the title chase, retaining executives like Wyc Grousbeck as CEO. The Celtics cut over $250 million in projected salary and taxes in the offseason, trading players like Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.
The Lakers took a quieter offseason approach, but Walter’s influence, as Dodgers owner, may shift future spending. Both sales reflect the league’s valuation boom, driven by rising revenues.
The Celtics’ deal included investors like Rob Hale and Bruce Beal Jr., with full control set for 2028 at $7.3 billion. For the Lakers, Jeanie Buss retains at least 15% of shares, preserving family legacy.
Clippers probe looms over Leonard
The allegation emerged on September 3, when journalist Pablo Torre revealed Kawhi Leonard received $28 million for a “no-show” job with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt ex-Clippers sponsor. The four-year deal allegedly involved endorsements without fulfilled obligations, like appearances or social media posts.
Additional reports cite another $20 million in similar deals, prompting the NBA to launch an immediate inquiry. Silver stated the league “will get to the bottom of this,” but details remain scarce a month later.
Leonard starts the season with the Clippers, set to host the 2026 All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in February. Owner Steve Ballmer denied involvement, calling allegations “absurd” and affirming salary cap compliance.
- Initial report: “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast exposes contract without deliverables.
- Total alleged amount: $48 million in indirect payments via Aspiration.
- Company status: Bankrupt after fraud, with co-founder Joseph Sanberg admitting guilt in August.
- Clippers’ stance: Claim endorsement independence and welcome investigation.
New format energizes 2026 All-Star
The February event will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, broadcast by NBC in the afternoon. For the third straight year, the NBA revamps the structure, adopting a round-robin tournament with three eight-player teams: two U.S. and one international.
The change follows the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off success, adding a global element to boost engagement. With about 70% of players American, the format supports international selections, spotlighting stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić.
Silver cited the 2026 Winter Olympics, on the same network, as inspiration for the Olympic vibe. All-Star viewership has dipped, with recent editions under 5.5 million viewers, below the decade’s average.
The tournament aims to cut downtime and increase competitiveness after criticism of the 2025 four-team, points-target format. Players valued national representation in the NHL event, which may replicate intensity in basketball.
Injuries open doors for newcomers
Seven 2025 All-Stars miss the tip-off, plus Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined all season with a torn Achilles. LeBron James, the top draw by viewership, starts his 23rd campaign in November after a nerve injury kept him out of training camp.
Damian Lillard returns to the Blazers with post-Achilles limitations; Jalen Williams of the Thunder recovers from a wrist ligament issue. These absences highlight reliance on veterans like James, Curry, and Durant, all nearing career ends.
- Key injuries: Darius Garland (shoulder, Cavaliers), Tyler Herro (ankle, Heat), Kyrie Irving (knee, Mavericks).
- Team impacts: Celtics without Tatum test depth; Lakers lean on Luka Dončić as a pillar.
- Opportunities: Victor Wembanyama, in his third year with the Spurs, could shine en route to the playoffs.
New faces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić take the spotlight, with Anthony Edwards and Dončić poised to inherit the mantle. Wembanyama, likened to James in his rise, aims to lead San Antonio to the playoffs for the first time since his debut.
