Every team enters the season with something to prove. The defending champions aim to retain their crown, some teams seek redemption, while others hope to climb out of the bottom of the standings and establish themselves as contenders.
The stakes will rise even higher on October 20, 2026, when the regular season tips off. It will be time to deliver - no more exhibition games or preseason tune-ups. MVP candidates will battle for individual supremacy, old rivalries will reignite, and new contenders will emerge from the shadows. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the road to the NBA championship begins, and the race for the Larry O’Brien Trophy is wide open!
The best league in the world is entering its 81st season. The third Tuesday in October will ignite the 82-game regular season with the playoffs to follow. Eight teams from each conference will battle for the NBA’s ultimate prize. Last season, the New York Knicks won the title after dominating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the Finals, ending a 53-year-long championship drought.
Last season was full of exciting performances and notable milestones. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second regular-season MVP award, joining an exclusive group of NBA legends to win the honor in consecutive seasons. He also earned the Clutch Player of the Year award, rewriting his latest season in a remarkable individual chapter.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic finished second in the MVP voting, despite recording a record-breaking season. He accomplished a rare statistical feat after averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. It was his second career triple-double season. Also, he became the first player to lead the NBA in both rebounds and assists per game in the same season since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1969–70. Jokic led the Nuggets to their one-and-only NBA championship in franchise history in 2023, and the superstar center is determined to bring Denver back to the top.
Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 draft pick and Rookie of the Year winner Cooper Flagg made an immediate impact, leading the organization’s rebuilding effort. In June, Dallas hired Dusty May as its new head coach, who led the Michigan Wolverines to the NCAA national championship in April.
The 2025–26 season combined a long-awaited Knicks championship, another MVP-winning campaign from SGA and historic numbers from Jokic. But there’s no reason to dwell on the past - the 2026 offseason delivered several blockbuster trades that could reshape the NBA landscape for this upcoming year.
Former Milwaukee Bucks superstar, MVP, and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Miami Heat, along with sharpshooter Klay Thompson. LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. Star playmakers Jaylen Brown and Paul George swapped places, as the Boston Celtics acquired George from Philadelphia in exchange for Brown.
Point guard Ja Morant gets a fresh start in Portland - the Trail Blazers acquired him from Memphis, believing Morant will help the franchise to a deep postseason run. His explosive scoring and playmaking could help the Blazers become more competitive in the Western Conference. Former LA Clippers’ superstar Kawhi Leonard returned to the Toronto Raptors, a franchise he led to its first-ever NBA championship in 2019.
Despite so many intriguing storylines, there can only be one ultimate winner. Numerous teams will conclude the season in disappointment, and only the best player will be named the MVP. With the newest competition year approaching, Flashscore predicts the conference winners, one stellar individual performance, a disappointing underachievement, and the next NBA champion. Follow the NBA with us!
Eric:
Eastern Conference winner: Philadelphia 76ers
It’s hard not to hop on the bandwagon with this team. It’s one thing when LeBron has another star or two on the team around him, but it’s another when the entire starting lineup is full of stars like this 76ers one is.
The New York Knicks took some hits in the offseason, and there hasn’t been a back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals champion since the Cleveland Cavaliers (2017, 2018). Looking at the rest of the field in the Eastern Conference, nobody else really sticks out to me. Sure, the Detroit Pistons had the best regular-season record, but they barely scraped by the Orlando Magic before being nearly swept by the Cavs.
I’ll take the easy route for this one.
Western Conference winner: San Antonio Spurs
The team that won the WCF last season and knocked off the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder kept their core intact, and experience only makes them better.
Despite Victor Wembanyama’s own blunders in last year’s finals, anyone thinking he won’t improve his game is only kidding themselves. With a lot of question marks surrounding the Denver Nuggets as well, the Spurs are an easy choice here.
Biggest riser: Minnesota Timberwolves
The T’Wolves finished sixth in the West last season before ultimately being bounced by the Spurs in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
They underwent some changes, including the acquisition of LaMelo Ball. Having a dual threat with him and superstar Anthony Edwards, the T’Wolves are primed to have at least one guy go off in each game this season, barring injuries. When Ant is cold, Melo could be hot. And vice versa.
Now, losing Naz Reid and Julius Randle could eventually hurt the T’Wolves down low, where they are usually a pain for opposing defenses. But when you have a two-guard threat where both can score 30 points in a single game, things could get interesting.
Biggest disappointment: Boston Celtics
I don’t know if I’d even consider the Celtics a disappointment since most fans can agree that they think Boston will hit a regression year.
Paul George is not Jaylen Brown. And Michael Conley, while serviceable, just turned 39. He isn’t necessarily a bench piece that will miraculously lead the Celtics to another title just like Bruce Brown did with the 2023 Denver Nuggets.
They signed big man Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47 million deal. But it’s definitely not convincing enough to think they’ll steamroll the 76ers, Pistons, or even the Knicks. Trading Brown to a rival is still mind-boggling.
Regular Season MVP: Nikola Jokic
Since winning his first MVP (2020-2021), he has either won the MVP award or been the runner-up in the following five seasons.
He’s Nikola Jokic. Enough said.
NBA champion: Philadelphia 76ers
This seems like such a “spur-of-the-moment” decision considering the LeBron and Brown hype. But there hasn’t been a back-to-back NBA champion in the current decade, and the 76ers legitimately have all the pieces needed to make a run.
They just do. Can someone out of the West defeat them? Sure. I think teams such as San Antonio, OKC, and Denver are all primed to handle the superstar lineup of the Sixers. Will they? Well, we’ll just see.
It’s just hard not to think the Sixers come out of this with anything less than at least an NBA Finals appearance.
Seb:
Eastern Conference winner: New York Knicks
Last year, the Knicks finished second in the Eastern Conference without really having to push themselves. The inexperience of the Pistons, who finished top, meant they weren’t serious contenders for the title, and the eventual champions didn’t need to dig deep to beat them.
This season, the situation is different. With the 76ers’ formidable line-up, the ever-ambitious Celtics, and the Heat bolstered by a certain ‘Greek Freak’ (not to mention the Pistons or the Cavs), a poor run in the regular season could see home advantage in the first round slip away. The Knicks will likely have no choice but to show who the champions are – and why.
Western Conference winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s easy to forget, but the Thunder have now finished top of the formidable Western Conference for three seasons running. And there’s no reason why that should change. Last season, this side got off to a flying start before easing off the pace and switching to autopilot. And that proved enough. With a well-established squad, Jalen Williams back in form, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with just one goal in mind – a hat-trick of MVP awards – everything is in place for a fourth title in a row.
Biggest riser: Indiana Pacers
I have to admit, though, that this is a bit of a stretch. After all, the Pacers were just one game away from becoming NBA champions in 2025 before Tyrese Haliburton’s horrific injury. But it’s still a gamble: the gamble that the All-Star point guard will return to top form after tearing his Achilles tendon. Not everyone can pull that off: not everyone can be Kevin Durant. Not to mention that the element of surprise will no longer be there. Everyone knows how talented this team is when its maestro is at the helm. But we’re still betting that they’ll qualify directly for the playoffs, even though they finished 14th last year.
Biggest disappointment: Cleveland Cavaliers
Finally, the Cavs reached the conference finals for the first time since the end of the LeBron James era. But this came at the cost of trading Darius Garland for James Harden, two narrow victories in Game 7, only to be ultimately crushed by the Knicks. The squad has remained unchanged – ‘The Beard’ and Donovan Mitchell have re-signed –, but there is a sense that this team’s window of opportunity has already closed.
The conference is no longer a wasteland; there are now plenty of strong sides, and we reckon that Cleveland – which still has the same old problems (a lack of chemistry between Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, over-reliance on three-point shooting, etc.) – might even miss out on the top six.
Regular-season MVP: Nikola Jokic
The hype says Victor Wembanyama, the logic says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But still. How can the best player in the world not win MVP? Year after year, Joker improves his level, his stats, his passing game. Only his team's resume can be a problem, but that’s false excuses for voting crew: the best player should win MVP. And the best player is Nikola Jokic. Period.
NBA champion: Toronto Raptors
We’re expecting a massive surprise here. Kawhi Leonard’s return offers a brilliant opportunity to witness one. A solid, up-and-coming squad, elevated by the arrival of a game-changer: it feels like we’ve gone back seven years. Of course, this is subject to certain conditions, including ‘The Klaw’s’ fitness and Scottie Barnes’s definitive breakthrough, but that’s also why we love the NBA: for the unpredictability it can offer in the playoffs.
Tolga:
Eastern Conference winner: Philadelphia 76ers
It is hard to add too much to what everyone else has said about the 76ers. Their roster is star-studded and full of talent throughout. LeBron, Brown, Maxey, Embiid, and Edgecombe are just so exciting, and we all can’t wait to watch them take the court together. They have a superb blend of skills that should work together.
Of course, we need to see if they do click and if there is cohesion. But how can you bet against this crop of players?
Western Conference winner: San Antonio Spurs
Despite falling in the NBA Finals last season, showing their inexperience, the Spurs are only going to be stronger this time around as they learn and grow as a team, led by an even better version of Wembanyama. They felt ahead of schedule, but now, they could be ready to take the final step.
As well as Wemby, Harper and Castle will be better players, and it certainly makes them a frightening proposition not just in the Western Conference, but the entirety of the NBA.
Biggest riser: Dallas Mavericks
Not many people are talking about the Dallas Mavericks at all, and to be honest, rightly so. But I think they are set to have a much-improved season after a really horrendous last 18 months.
The whole franchise has seen an overhaul as they look to course correct following the disastrous Luka Doncic trade. Masai Ujiri came in as President, and Mike Schmitz as General Manager
Cooper Flagg was amazing during his rookie campaign, and he has shown signs during preseason that he has got so much better. With Kyrie Irving returning from a long-term injury, and hopes that Dereck Lively II stays healthy, they will be hopeful of doing a lot better than 13th in the Western Conference.
Biggest disappointment: Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo will make the Miami Heat good, obviously, but as a whole roster, they look a lot weaker. Losing Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will really hurt them, and outside of their formidable front court, they lack quality everywhere else. They just don’t have a lot of scorers.
Klay Thompson is going to have to really step up, but it is hard to see him being consistent or effective in 2026. An early playoff exit is a real possibility.
Regular-season MVP: Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama came third in the NBA MVP voting last season, but it is starting to feel like he is close to becoming the best player in the league. Jokic has held that crown for years, even when players like Shai and Embiid were winning MVP titles.
If San Antonio take another step up - as many expect - and Wemby does too, then the Frenchman could be on track for the regular season MVP.
NBA champion: San Antonio Spurs
After last season’s disappointment in the NBA Finals, the next stage of the Spurs’ development would be to become champions, right? Okay, it probably won’t be that easy, but their trajectory suggests they will be there or thereabouts again.
One key factor in their defeat to the Knicks was fatigue, as they had to run the gauntlet through the Western Conference. Of course, that may still happen again, but they should be better equipped and more experienced this time around to deal with these types of issues, and they could most certainly get over the line.
Michaela:
Eastern Conference winner: Philadelphia 76ers
The East is wide open heading into the 2026–27 season. The Knicks will compete for the crown once more, just like the Celtics, who won the championship in 2024. But I think the conference will get a new king: the Philadelphia 76ers. They have assembled a roster capable of taking over the East. Philadelphia brought together an extraordinary collection of talent, pairing LeBron James and Jaylen Brown with former MVP Joel Embiid, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, and rising star VJ Edgecombe.
The additions of James and Brown have transformed the 76ers into legitimate championship contenders. The squad has it all - experience, scoring, youth, and playmaking. The challenge will be turning that star power into a cohesive unit capable of surviving the postseason, but I believe Philadelphia will figure it out before playoffs hit.
Western Conference winner: San Antonio Spurs
The Western Conference is as competitive as ever, with several teams possessing legitimate championship aspirations. The Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs, and Lakers are all entering the season with high expectations, setting the stage for a fierce battle for conference supremacy. The road to the Finals will be anything but easy, but after a stellar campaign last season, I expect San Antonio to carry its momentum through the regular season and navigate the playoffs all the way to the championship stage.
With a talented young core, improved chemistry, and a team eager to avenge last season’s heartbreaking Finals defeat, the Spurs have the potential to challenge the conference’s established powerhouses. Victor Wembanyama will be the centerpiece of their championship push, but opposing defenses cannot ignore the craft of Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Then there are poised veterans De’Aaron Fox, Tobias Harris, and Luke Kornet. San Antonio has a balanced roster capable of making life difficult for any opponent.
Biggest riser: Washington Wizards
In January, blockbuster trade news shook the NBA when the Atlanta Hawks sent star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Less than a month later, Washington acquired decorated big man Anthony Davis before selecting prodigy AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The roster also features former No. 2 pick Alex Sarr, No. 6 pick Tre Johnson, and veteran forward Khris Middleton, giving the franchise a compelling mix of young talent and experience.
Last season, the Wizards won just 17 games and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. In the last three years, they never won more than 18 games. But with a revamped roster and the Rookie of the Year candidate Dybantsa, the Wizards are ready to make a significant jump in the standings and be competitive in the Eastern Conference. I expect the Wizards to contend for a postseason spot.
Biggest disappointment: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are still expected to be competitive, but the roster has undergone a major earthquake in the offseason. LeBron James left, and so did Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and more. The team still has plenty of talent, but it won’t be enough in the competitive West - despite the franchise’s history and championship expectations, the Lakers may struggle to keep pace with the Western Conference’s elite.
There’s no doubt that Doncic will have another remarkable season, but without at least some support, he won’t be able to carry the whole team alone. In a perfect scenario, the Lakers will finish in the top 4 in the West, but that means they won’t face any health issues or adversity, which isn’t realistic in an 82-game-plus season. The Lakers will struggle to compete with the elite teams, and I predict an early playoff exit.
Regular-season MVP: Nikola Jokic
Fans witnessed numerous terrific individual campaigns in the 2025-2026 season. Luka Doncic played some of the best basketball of his career in the spring, Victor Wembanyama dominated both ends of the floor, SGA hit unbelievable shots all season long, and Nikola Jokic had a record-breaking year.
Ultimately, I think Jokic is ready to claim his fourth regular-season MVP award. His passing is unmatched; he can score at will, gets his teammates involved, and dominates the glass. Leading the league in both rebounds and assists last season was a jaw-dropping feat deserving of recognition. After throwing a pass-of-the-year candidate in preseason, it’s clear that the league will marvel at another stellar show of the Serbian star center.
NBA champion: San Antonio Spurs
Last season, the San Antonio Spurs showcased incredible talent, perseverance, and grit when they took down the then-defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs played on the road but found a way to outlast an experienced team led by the reigning MVP and advance to the Finals. In the grand finale, San Antonio’s lack of experience, historic fourth-quarter collapses, and fatigue down the stretch cost the Spurs the title.
But the team has learned and is back better than ever - the core of the squad remained in San Antonio, as the Spurs didn’t record any significant roster losses in the offseason. Led by generational superstar Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have the defensive anchor and offensive versatility needed to compete with the league’s elite. The Spurs have every tool to make another deep postseason run and go back to the Finals, finishing the season with a happy ending this time.
Natalie:
Eastern Conference winner: Detroit Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers might be the obvious choice in the East, but questions remain about whether their star-studded roster can stay healthy throughout an entire season and a deep playoff run. That's why I'm going with Detroit. The Pistons finished last season with an impressive 60–22 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference and establishing themselves as one of the league's best defensive teams.
Their second-round exit against Cleveland was disappointing, but with Cade Cunningham leading the way and young talents like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson continuing to develop, Detroit has what it takes to go further this time. They might not have Philadelphia's star power, but their chemistry, defensive identity, and room for growth could give them the edge.
Western Conference winner: San Antonio Spurs
The Western Conference is packed with championship contenders, but San Antonio has already shown it can beat the very best. The Spurs finished last season with a 62–20 record before knocking out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling seven-game Western Conference Finals.
Their growing rivalry, led by Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, could define the West for years to come. Wembanyama remains the centerpiece, but with Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and De'Aaron Fox alongside him, San Antonio has much more than just one superstar to rely on. Oklahoma City will undoubtedly be hungry for revenge, but I believe the Spurs have what it takes to come out on top again.
Biggest riser: Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the teams I'm most excited to watch this season. After finishing 42–40 and returning to the playoffs last year, Portland looks ready to take another step forward. Deni Avdija is coming off his first All-Star season, averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game, and has carried that form into the preseason. The arrival of Ja Morant and the long-awaited return of Damian Lillard after a year recovering from a torn Achilles add even more firepower to an already promising roster.
Donovan Clingan, who led the NBA with 4.5 offensive rebounds per game last season, gives the Blazers a strong presence inside, while their depth is equally impressive, with experienced players like Jrue Holiday and young talent like Scoot Henderson competing for minutes. Shaedon Sharpe's knee injury is a significant setback, but new head coach Micah Nori has plenty of options at his disposal. Competing in the loaded Western Conference won't be easy, but on paper, Portland looks like a dangerous team capable of surprising plenty of people this season.
Biggest disappointment: Miami Heat
The arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo has raised expectations in Miami, but I'm not convinced the Heat will live up to the hype. Pairing the two-time MVP with Bam Adebayo gives Miami one of the league's most intimidating frontcourts, particularly on defense. However, acquiring Giannis came at a high cost, with Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware among those leaving the team.
Miami still has experienced players like Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Bobby Portis, but questions remain about the team's depth and offensive chemistry. Neither Giannis nor Adebayo is a consistent outside shooter, which could create spacing problems despite the additions of perimeter threats. I expect the Heat to make the playoffs, but with two of the league's biggest stars on the roster, simply getting there won't be enough. Anything short of a deep postseason run could feel like a disappointment.
Regular-season MVP: Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has already won three MVP awards, yet somehow continues to find ways to raise the bar. Last season, the Serbian superstar averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, leading the entire NBA in both rebounds and assists while recording an incredible 34 triple-doubles. He was equally efficient, shooting 56.9% from the field and posting a 67.0% true shooting percentage despite carrying such a significant offensive load. But Jokić's value goes far beyond individual statistics.
His court vision, decision-making, and ability to create opportunities make everyone around him better, something he has consistently demonstrated with both the Denver Nuggets and Serbia's national team. There will be plenty of worthy contenders, but I don't see anyone taking the MVP award away from Jokić this season.
NBA champion: San Antonio Spurs
Last season's NBA Finals defeat to the New York Knicks might turn out to be exactly what San Antonio needed. Reaching the championship stage with such a young roster was already a remarkable achievement, even if the Spurs ultimately fell short in five games. What makes this team particularly exciting is how much room it still has to grow.
Wembanyama is only 22, while Castle and Harper are still in the early stages of their careers. That experience, combined with another year of development and an already impressive supporting cast, could be what finally puts San Antonio over the top. The Spurs have five championships in franchise history, and I think this is the year they add a sixth.