The 2026/27 NBA season is almost here. The new campaign tips off on October 20, 2026, and Opening Night already has plenty to offer. Reigning champions the New York Knicks host a revamped Philadelphia 76ers side, while the Boston Celtics travel to face the Detroit Pistons. The night closes with San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals.

After a spectacular offseason, the NBA landscape looks different again. The Knicks want to defend their title, while Oklahoma City and San Antonio remain among the leading contenders. Philadelphia has added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo has moved to Miami, and Minnesota has paired LaMelo Ball with Anthony Edwards to create a brand-new superstar backcourt.

The new season also marks the start of another busy period for basketball fans and bettors. Depending on the current market, NBA betting can include match-winner bets, handicaps, totals and player-stat markets. Basketball is officially part of the MERKUR BETS sports betting offer.

So which team has the best chance of lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy? Which sides belong in the wider contender group, and who could surprise? Here is a look at the teams, players and storylines shaping the opening weeks of the season.

The Main NBA Championship Favorites

The list of title contenders is broad once again, but a handful of teams stand out when the new campaign gets underway.

Early-October betting markets put Oklahoma City and San Antonio near the top, followed by teams such as Philadelphia and New York. Long-term prices can move quickly, so current NBA odds should always be checked immediately before placing a bet.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder head into the new season with one of the most intriguing rosters in the league.

The core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams remains intact. Oklahoma City also brings impressive depth and a strong collection of draft assets. The Western Conference, however, looks even tougher, with San Antonio, Minnesota, Denver and Houston all looking to close the gap.

One of the biggest questions is how the Thunder respond to the previous season. They have plenty of big-game experience, but the West is packed with teams capable of putting together a deep playoff run.

For Oklahoma City, the target is clear: get back to the NBA Finals and finish the job this time.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs sit right alongside the Thunder among the leading contenders.

With Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, San Antonio has a young core with enormous upside. The Spurs finished last season with 62 wins, second in the West, before reaching the NBA Finals, where they lost 4–1 to the Knicks.

That Finals defeat could give Wembanyama even more motivation. The 22-year-old Frenchman enters his third NBA season and is expected to anchor San Antonio defensively while taking another step forward on offense.

He gets a huge test immediately: San Antonio faces Oklahoma City on the opening night. It is hard to ask for a more compelling start.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks enter the season as the reigning NBA champions.

New York beat San Antonio 4–1 in the Finals in June, with Jalen Brunson winning Finals MVP after scoring 45 points in the deciding Game 5. For the Knicks, it was their first NBA title since 1973.

Continuity is the team’s biggest strength. According to the NBA, 11 of the 12 players who logged the most minutes for New York last season are back. The champion will still have to cope without Mitchell Robinson, while Andre Drummond is among the additions.

Repeating as champion will be far from automatic. Back-to-back NBA titles have been rare in recent years.

The first major test arrives immediately, with Philadelphia coming to Madison Square Garden for the championship-banner night.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have completed one of the most eye-catching roster overhauls of the offseason.

Jaylen Brown and LeBron James join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, giving Philadelphia an exceptionally talented core.

But there is one obvious question: how will it all fit together?

Several high-usage stars need to be integrated into one coherent offensive system. Embiid’s health is another key storyline. According to the NBA, the center played only a large portion of last season and remained vulnerable to injury.

That could make the Sixers one of the most fascinating teams to follow throughout the season.

Miami Heat: Giannis Changes the Equation

The Miami Heat have also reshaped their roster in a major way.

The biggest move was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s switch from Milwaukee to Miami. Klay Thompson is another high-profile addition. Alongside Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins, Miami wants to return to the front rank in the Eastern Conference.

The Antetokounmpo-Adebayo pairing is especially intriguing. Both can protect the rim defensively and put pressure on opposing defenses at the other end.

Miami still has to prove that its different player profiles can click quickly enough. The team’s half-court chemistry could be one of the most important factors early on.

The timing is fitting: Miami hosts Minnesota on October 21, which will also mark Giannis’ first official game for the Heat.

Minnesota with a New Superstar Duo

The Minnesota Timberwolves could also play a major role in the West.

LaMelo Ball has been brought in at point guard alongside Anthony Edwards. The NBA has already highlighted the pairing as one of the league’s most interesting new backcourts. Ball is expected not only to create for others, but also to give Edwards more opportunities to work off the ball and maximize his scoring.

Minnesota has won five playoff series over the past three years – more than the franchise had managed across its first 34 seasons combined. The Ball trade underlines the ambition: the Timberwolves do not simply want to compete; they want to move up.

Whether that ambitious roster can turn into a genuine championship contender is one of the biggest questions of the season’s opening stretch.

The Key Opening Night Games

The first NBA night of the new season is loaded with major matchups.

The NBA has officially confirmed all three games. Knicks vs. 76ers will also feature New York’s championship-banner ceremony, while Spurs vs. Thunder is a rematch of the Western Conference Finals.

Key Players to Watch This Season

In an 82-game NBA campaign, individual stars can swing the biggest moments. These players are likely to be in the spotlight throughout the season.

Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama enters the new season as one of the NBA’s biggest young stars. The Frenchman combines extraordinary size with mobility and offensive upside. After reaching the Finals for the first time, he now wants to take San Antonio another step forward.

He is already among the leading MVP candidates, and early-October markets even place him at the top of the list.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the face of the Thunder and one of the league’s most important players.

Together with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, he forms the foundation of a team built to contend at the highest level for years to come. Expectations in Oklahoma City are high once again.

Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

After his Finals MVP performance, Jalen Brunson has firmly established himself as the face of the Knicks.

His role will remain central to the title defense. New York is banking on chemistry and continuity while looking to carry its playoff level into the new campaign.

LeBron James – Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James may be one of the NBA’s most experienced players, but his move to Philadelphia is generating enormous attention.

His influence should extend well beyond scoring. As a playmaker and veteran leader, he is expected to help bring together an elite Sixers roster. His first official game for Philadelphia comes against the reigning champion in New York.

The Most Interesting Betting Markets to Start the NBA Season

The start of the season brings a wide range of basketball betting options. Depending on the game, match-winner bets, handicaps, totals and player-stat markets can all be relevant. Available markets depend on the sport and event, while MERKUR BETS lists tip and handicap bets among the options.

Odds boosts can also be worth watching around the NBA opener. MERKUR BETS notes that boosts may be available on selected NBA games. These offers are time-limited, so the current terms should always be checked before betting.

Fans who want to follow NBA games and check betting options on the move can use the MERKUR BETS App. The official MERKUR page describes the app as a mobile way to place bets and view betting slips.

New customers may also find offers such as the MERKUR BETS welcome bonus relevant. Bonus offers and terms can change, so the latest conditions should always be reviewed directly before taking part.

Discover the latest MERKUR BETS promotions and offers as well as more sports betting news and analysis on the MERKUR BETS Blog.

Bet Responsibly

Sports betting should remain entertainment. With so many major NBA games and betting markets available at the start of a new season, it is important to keep your own betting habits in perspective.

Only bet with money you can afford to lose, and ideally set a personal budget before you start. Wins cannot be planned, and even an attractive price is no guarantee of a successful bet. Chasing losses with larger stakes should therefore always be avoided.

It is equally important to take regular breaks and reflect on your betting behavior. If betting stops feeling like entertainment or starts becoming a burden, take a break and seek support. MERKUR BETS stands for responsible play.

FAQ: NBA Season 2026/27