The NBA
has finally returned.
The league tips off Tuesday, Oct. 21
with a doubleheader featuring the Houston Rockets
against the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder
, with the Los Angeles Lakers
hosting the Golden State Warriors
in the nightcap.
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For teams, a new season presents a blank slate as they all chase the same thing: the Larry O'Brien trophy.
For players and coaches, team goals take precedence – to be sure – but their individual successes can also lead to historic greatness. Take Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's
season as a comparison: he became just the fourth player in league history to win regular season Most Valuable Player
, the regular season scoring title and NBA Finals MVP
.
Who will take home the biggest prizes at the conclusion of this season? USA TODAY Sports reporters Lorenzo Reyes, Scooby Axson, Mark Giannotto, Jon Hoefling and James Williams made their preseason predictions for individual awards, conference finals and the eventual NBA champion:
NBA RECORD PROJECTIONS: How we see 2025-26 season unfolding
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BEST PLAYERS: Our experts ranked the top 25 for 2025-26 season
NBA playoff predictions
Our experts make their picks for the conference final matchups, the NBA Finals matchup, the 2025-26 NBA champion and the Finals MVP.
Eastern Conference finals matchup
Mark Giannotto: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
James Williams: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference finals matchup
Williams: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
NBA Finals matchup
Reyes: New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
Axson: New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannotto: New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Hoefling: New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
Williams: New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
1
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NBA champions through the years
2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
(Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images)
1
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NBA champions through the years
2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
(Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images)
2
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NBA champions through the years
2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)
3
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NBA champions through the years
2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)
(Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports)
4
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NBA champions through the years
2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
5
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NBA champions through the years
2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
6
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NBA champions through the years
2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
7
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NBA champions through the years
2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games)
(Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
8
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NBA champions through the years
2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games)
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
9
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NBA champions through the years
2018: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in four games)
(David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
10
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NBA champions through the years
2017: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in five games)
(Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports)
11
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NBA champions through the years
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (beat Golden State Warriors in seven games)
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
12
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NBA champions through the years
2015: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in six games)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
13
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NBA champions through the years
2014: San Antonio Spurs (beat Miami Heat in five games)
(Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports)
14
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NBA champions through the years
2013: Miami Heat (beat San Antonio Spurs in seven games)
(Brendan Maloney=, USA TODAY Sports)
15
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NBA champions through the years
2012: Miami Heat (beat Oklahoma City Thunder in five games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
16
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NBA champions through the years
2008: Boston Celtics (beat Los Angeles Lakers in six games)
(GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP via Getty Images)
17
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NBA champions through the years
2005: San Antonio Spurs (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
(ROBERT SULLIVAN, AFP via Getty Images)
18
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NBA champions through the years
2004: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games)
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
19
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NBA champions through the years
2003: San Antonio Spurs (beat New Jersey Nets in six games)
(JAMES NIELSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
20
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NBA champions through the years
2002: Los Angeles Lakers (beat New Jersey Nets in four games)
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
21
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NBA champions through the years
2001: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Philadelphia 76ers in five games)
(STAN HONDA, AFP via Getty Images)
22
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NBA champions through the years
1999: San Antonio Spurs (beat New York Knicks five games)
(TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP via Getty Images)
23
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NBA champions through the years
1997: Chicago Bulls (beat Utah Jazz in six games)
(JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)
24
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NBA champions through the years
1996: Chicago Bulls (beat Seattle SuperSonics in six games)
(PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images)
25
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NBA champions through the years
1995: Houston Rockets (beat Orlando Magic in four games)
(PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images)
26
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NBA champions through the years
1994: Houston Rockets (beat New York Knicks in seven games)
(BOB STRONG, AFP via Getty Images)
27
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NBA champions through the years
1993: Chicago Bulls (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
28
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NBA champions through the years
1992: Chicago Bulls (beat Portland Trail Blazers in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
29
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NBA champions through the years
1991: Chicago Bulls beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
30
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NBA champions through the years
1990: Detroit Pistons (beat Portland Trail Blazers in five games)
(William Archie, Detroit Free Press)
31
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NBA champions through the years
1989: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in four games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
32
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NBA champions through the years
1988: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
33
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NBA champions through the years
1987: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
NBA champion
Axson: Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannotto: New York Knicks
Williams: Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
Hoefling: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
NBA individual awards
Our experts make their picks for 2025-26 MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
Most Valuable Player
Reyes: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Axson: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Hoefling: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Williams: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Defensive Player of the Year
Axson: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Giannotto: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Hoefling: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Williams: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
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Rookie of the Year
Axson: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Hoefling: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Williams: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
BIGGEST IMPACT? We ranked every NBA No. 1 draft pick since 2000
1
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
3
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2024: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
4
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2023: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
5
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2022: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
6
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2021: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
7
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2020: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports)
8
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2019: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
9
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2018: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
10
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2017: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
11
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2016: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
12
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
13
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded two months later to Minnesota Timberwolves)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
14
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
15
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
(Andrew Weber, US PRESSWIRE)
16
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
17
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2002: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
(LUCY NICHOLSON, AFP via Getty Images)
18
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
(Brett Hansbauer, US PRESSWIRE)
19
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1998: Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
20
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
21
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1996: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
22
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1995: Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
(Elsa, Getty Images)
23
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1994: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
24
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1993: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
25
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1992: Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
(DOUG COLLIER, AFP via Getty Images)
26
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1991: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
27
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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa
1990: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
Sixth Man of the Year
Reyes: Jordan Clarkson, New York Knicks
Axson: De'Andre Hunter, Cleveland Cavaliers
Most Improved Player of the Year
Hoefling: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
Clutch Player of the Year
Reyes: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Hoefling: Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Williams: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Coach of the Year
Reyes: Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Axson: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Hoefling: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Williams: Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:
NBA picks, predictions for 2025-26 MVP, rookie, awards, playoffs
