The NBA season for 2025-26 commenced on Tuesday with two notable games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, led the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory over Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets in overtime. Jimmy Butler guided Golden State past the Los Angeles Lakers, who played without LeBron James due to sciatica.
The Toronto Raptors will start their season in Atlanta, aiming for a playoff spot after missing out for the past two years. Canada continues to be the primary source of NBA players outside the U.S., with 23 Canadians currently playing in the league.
Key Canadian players to watch this season include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin from the Indiana Pacers, Jamal Murray from the Denver Nuggets, Shaedon Sharpe from the Portland Trail Blazers, Zach Edey from the Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks from the Phoenix Suns, Andrew Wiggins from the Miami Heat, and RJ Barrett from the Toronto Raptors.
These players are expected to make significant impacts in the upcoming NBA season, with high hopes and expectations surrounding their performances on the court.