After completing their offseason, the National Basketball Association (NBA) began their preseason on Oct. 2. The preseason, which lasts two weeks, serves as a way for NBA teams and players to give fans a glimpse as to what is in store for the season. The preseason, just as it has in past years, gave viewers many close games, surprise contenders and a first look at up and coming rookies.
The first game, between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, ended in a 99-84 Knicks victory. Forward Karl Anthony-Towns led the Knicks in scoring with 11 points whilst center Mitchell Robinson made 16 rebounds. The 76ers were sorely missing former MVP Joel Embiid, who is currently out due to a knee injury, being forced to rely on their other players to make up for his loss. Without Embiid, the 76ers were led by rookie shooting guard VJ Edgecombe and point guard Tyrese Maxey. The game started close with both teams putting up 25 points in the first period, After that, the Knicks started to pull away, putting up 28 points in both the second and third periods while holding the 76ers to just 32. The 76ers scored 27 points to New York’s 18 in the final period, but were unable to make up the gap the Knicks had made in the middle of the game.
Another major game of the preseason took place on Oct. 17 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Despite benching their star player, three time MVP Nickola Jokic, the Nuggets kept the game close, ultimately losing 94-91. The teams were very close in the first period, with the Thunder leading by one point at the end. In the second period, the Nuggets began building up a lead, winning 59-46 as half-time rolled around. This breakaway was led by forward Peyton Watson and guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who scored 13 points apiece. The Nuggets’ lead in the third period remained stagnant, with the Thunder only closing the gap by four points. In the fourth period, the Thunder began closing the gap behind 13 points scored by forward Ousmane Dieng. With seconds left on the clock, the game was tied 91-91 before Dieng hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to secure a victory for the Thunder.
As the preseason progressed, the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic have quickly jumped to the front of the pack competing for a championship, all boasting undefeated records. The defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished the preseason 4-2 with losses to the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers, who they recently defeated in the NBA Championship. Despite these losses, the Thunder remain the favorite to win the championship again this year due to them returning 11 players from last year’s roster, including all five starters.
The 2025 NBA draft class gave fans a glimpse of what they have to offer this preseason. Leading the way was first overall pick Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks’ new small forward averaged 10.7 points per game (PPG) and 5.3 rebounds per game (RPG). The highest scoring rookie was third overall pick, Edgecombe, averaging 17 PPG. Other anticipated rookies include second overall pick, shooting guard Dylan Harper and fifth overall pick, forward Ace Bailey.
Now that the preseason has ended, the NBA has moved into its regular season. In the next 82 games, each team will be vying for a spot in the playoffs, starting on April 18. With a long season ahead, anything can happen, leading to NBA fans across the nation being on the edges of their seats, waiting to see which team ultimately hoists the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
