Alright, shove your AFL scarf in the back of the wardrobe because the most beautiful time of the year is here: the NBA season is BACK!
It’s time to lock in, pretend to work while watching League Pass at your desk (or your 1:1 if you’re brave enough).
We’re all still collectively processing the fever dream that was the 2024 season. Luka was traded to the Lakers (Nico wtf?!), SEVEN (7!!) players tore their Achilles and the Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship, signalling a new era in basketball: the Gen Z era and we are all paying rent in it.
After all that (iykyk), the off-season was painfully dull. NBA insider Shams Charania promised us “the craziest off-season of all time” and then we got dust… literally dust… tumbleweeds… absolutely nothing.
The offseason was so L, we all played MyGM on 2k just to feel something (@ Golden State Warriors fan running 1000 Kuminga trades).
Anyway, the drought is over and as we finally switch gears to basketball, I’ve got all the tea to refresh your memory for tip-off.
When does the NBA season start?
Did you get your doctor’s note printed or emailed to you? The 2025-2026 NBA Regular Season begins on Wednesday October 22, with a full slate of games on October 23 from 10am AEST.
How can I watch the NBA in Australia?
Streameast. No.
Methstreams. No.
The NBA League Pass subscription is the best way to access all games, regardless of broadcast partners (does anyone want to go thirds on a premium subscription?).
ESPN will broadcast 80 regular season games and is available for much cheaper via Kayo Sports or Disney+ Subscription, which is great value if you want to watch NFL RedZone; exclusive to Disney+ and DAZN in Australia.
Prime Video, NBA’s latest broadcast partner, will air 66 regular season games.
Is this LeBron James’ last season?
I sure hope so (kidding).
There have been whispers by media insiders that LeBron James plans to retire in the next two years. James is currently in the last year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers who reportedly did not offer him an extension (I wouldn’t either!).
NBA conspiracists believe the 41-year-old could announce a shock retirement at the end of this season – his 23rd to coincide with his jersey number (originally, Michael Jordan’s number).
Bigs up where it’s due ig, LeBron James will break the record for most seasons played in NBA history this season, previously held by Vince Carter at 22 seasons (I got more one more in me).
Which NBA players changed teams this season?
The NBA landscape is going to look fucking different this regular season ‘cos a shit tonne of stars and role players changed teams.
Notable offseason moves include:
- Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets
- Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
- Bradley Beal – Los Angeles Clippers
- John Collins – Los Angeles Clippers
- Brook Lopez – Los Angeles Clippers
- Kristaps Porziņģis – Atlanta Hawks
- Myles Turner – Milwaukee Bucks
- Al Horford – Golden State Warriors
- Michael Porter Jr – Brooklyn Nets
- Jordan Poole – New Orleans Pelicans
- Kevon Looney – New Orleans Pelicans
- Anfernee Simons – Trail Blazers
- Collin Sexton – Charlotte Hornets
- Lonzo Ball – Cleveland Cavaliers
- D’Angelo Russell – Dallas Mavericks
- Deandre Ayton – Los Angeles Lakers
- Marcus Smart – Los Angeles Lakers
- Jordan Clarkson – New York Knicks
Which teams are contending this year? Early 2026 NBA Finals Predictions
Proving that history does repeat itself, insider Shams Charania just dropped that the NBA is bringing back the painted Larry O’Brien Trophy and Finals logo on-court thanks to fans dragging the league for having no aura.
As always, the Western Conference is stacked with star power — the Eastern Conference is an afterthought.
In no particular order, our mix of teams in contention to win the 2026 NBA Championship are:
Western Conference:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
- Golden State Warriors (Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler & Draymond Green)
- Houston Rockets (Kevin Durant & Amen Thompson)
- Los Angeles Clippers (Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Chris Paul & Bradley Beal)
- Nuggets (Nikola Jokić & Jamal Murray)
Eastern Conference:
- New York Knicks (Jalen Bridges & Karl-Anthony Towns)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (Donovan Mitchell & Evan Mobley)
Remember, Thanos snapped and wiped away half of the Eastern Conference. Devastating season-ending injuries struck Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers’ Tyreese Haliburton in the 2025 playoffs, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannias Antetokounmpo could be moved at the trade deadline, and we’re not wasting characters on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (respectfully).
May the healthiest team left standing in June 2026 win!
Who are the Australian players in the NBA?
This season there is a record-tying 13 Australians players in the NBA, and Australia is the third most represented country in the NBA this season (outside the United States ofc), with Canada first and France second.
Active Australian NBA players are:
- Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks
- Josh Green – Charlotte Hornets
- Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls
- Lachlan Olbrich* – Chicago Bulls
- Luke Travers* – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Tyrese Proctor – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Danté Exum – Dallas Mavericks
- Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks
- Alex Toohey* – Golden State Warriors
- Johnny Furphy – Indiana Pacers
- Jock Landale – Memphis Grizzlies
- Joe Ingles – Minnesota Timberwolves
- Rocco Zikarsky* – Minnesota Timberwolves
*Two-way players.
Where is the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2026?
Drum roll.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend will be hosted in Los Angeles, California at the Intuit Dome (Clippers shiny new stadium).
ESPN has reported the possibility of a new format for the 2026 All-Star Game – USA vs World – a round robin tournament with two USA teams and one world team.
NBA fans have been calling for the league to scrap the East vs West format, with a belief a bit of country pride on the line will finally motivate players to put the all in all-star.
Infamously, players give the All-Star Game the same level of effort I give work every Monday…
Anyway chat, I’ve booked my flight. S– should I get tickets at “The Wall”?
What NBA rules have changed for the 2025-2026 season?
Finally, is this the season our lone Splash Bro (iykyk), Steph Curry, actually gets a goddamn whistle? The league has introduced a ‘high five’ foul rule outlawing contact with a shooter’s hand, wrist or arm after the ball has been released.
Like a good o’l fashion tailgate, the ‘heave rule’ has also been introduced. Any shot taken 11m away from the basket will count as a team shot, so long as it’s taken within the final three seconds of the first three quarters. I don’t need to tell you what that means for the greatest shooter of all time.
The league may have beaten the ‘Curry doesn’t get star treatment’ allegations with these changes. If Curry can finally get to the free throw line this season, does that make him a sneaky peak to win MVP and be the oldest player ever to do so? More FTs, more points and this team is capable of winning 50-60 games 👀
Who are your picks this season? Let us know at Pedestrian Sport’s TikTok or Instagram.
Lead Photo: Getty.
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