TITLE: Injuries, scoring explosions and rookie breakthroughs dominate NBA’s first week
SLUG: injuries-scoring-explosions-rookie-breakthroughs-nba-first-week-2025-26
CONTENT:
The opening seven days of the 2025-26 NBA campaign delivered record scoring, a surge of injuries and a long list of unexpected early leaders both on and off the floor.
Historic scoring pace
Sixteen games of at least 40 points have already been logged, highlighted by Monday performances from Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers). According to ESPN Research, no season in league history had produced that many 40-point outings this quickly.
Off-court scrutiny
The league office is grappling with two separate investigations: accusations of illegal sports wagering and reports of a rigged poker operation. In response, officials are evaluating changes to injury-reporting rules to curb potential insider betting on player availability.
Injury wave hits multiple contenders
Teams across the standings reported extensive medical lists:
- Memphis Grizzlies secured a hardship exception before opening night, then signed Charles Bassey after losing Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome for multiple weeks.
- Indiana Pacers entered the year without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and subsequently saw Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter go down. Sixth-man Obi Toppin exited Sunday’s game with a right hamstring strain.
- Los Angeles Lakers dressed only seven healthy players on standard contracts in Monday’s loss to Portland; LeBron James (sciatica) could miss up to three weeks, while Luka Doncic (sprained left finger and lower-leg contusion) is out at least two more games.
- The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder lead the league in games missed despite a 5-0 start.
- Across the NBA, 11 players — including Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Green — are sidelined by hamstring issues.
Surprise unbeaten teams
Four clubs remained perfect entering play Tuesday, three of which were lottery participants five months ago:
- San Antonio Spurs (4-0) benefited from a soft schedule and dominant play by Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 31.3 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.8 blocks while trimming his three-point attempts from nearly nine per game last season to fewer than three.
- Philadelphia 76ers (4-0) opened 4-0 despite limited minutes from Joel Embiid and the absence of Paul George (knee) and rookie Jared McCain (thumb).
- Chicago Bulls (3-0) beat three projected Eastern Conference playoff teams — Detroit, Orlando and Atlanta — out of the gate.
Rookies make immediate impact
Analysts credited at least a dozen first-year players with positive production. Lottery selections Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel impressed, and second-round picks Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Will Richard provided depth for Charlotte. Cedric Coward emerged as an early standout for Memphis, averaging 27 points in one outing and fitting immediately into the Grizzlies’ rotation.
Early statistical anomalies
Free-throw attempts have spiked to 27.7 per team per game — roughly six more than last season’s average and the highest rate since 1990-91. Historically, that figure declines as the season progresses, but the elevated whistle has contributed to this year’s scoring boom; the 40-point scorers averaged 13.1 free-throw attempts in their big nights.
Contract to monitor
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell signed a three-year, $6.7 million deal in July (team option in Year 3) yet is averaging 18.3 points. Cleaning the Glass data shows Oklahoma City is plus-5.9 points per 100 possessions with the second-year guard on the court, a valuable contribution for a franchise projected to enter the second tax apron next season.
Revised outlooks and bold calls
Some preseason expectations have already shifted. ESPN panelists now believe Memphis could stay in contention once its injured core returns, while another projection pegs the Dallas Mavericks — hampered by offensive struggles without Kyrie Irving — as a potential playoff omission.
Key questions around the league
Reporters identified pressing issues for several teams:
- Atlanta Hawks: Integrating new starters after a 1-3 launch.
- Dallas Mavericks: Point-guard production while rookie Cooper Flagg adjusts and D’Angelo Russell searches for his shot.
- Golden State Warriors: Reliance on Draymond Green at center because of Al Horford’s minute limits.
- Houston Rockets: Weighing the addition of a traditional point guard after applying for a Disabled Player Exception for Fred VanVleet.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Seeking steady back-court help for Giannis Antetokounmpo as injuries hit Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony.
- New York Knicks: Navigating a rash of early ailments, including Mitchell Robinson’s extended absence and Karl-Anthony Towns’ quad strain.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Waiting for Jalen Williams to regain full shooting form following off-season wrist surgery.
- San Antonio Spurs: Gauging whether the hot start will hold against tougher opponents this week.
The NBA’s first week has combined historic individual offense, widespread health concerns and an unexpectedly level playing field, setting the stage for a volatile second month of the regular season.
Source: ESPN
