It’s the most wonderful time of the year— the NBA is finally back! Two fantastic games are on the slate for opening night, with the Knicks taking on the reigning champions, the Celtics, followed by LeBron and the Lakers taking on the Timberwolves. I’m as excited to watch as you are, so I’ll leave the intro at that. Here are three things I’ll be watching for from each team playing tonight!
New York Knicks
1. Brunson-KAT synergy
New York acquiring all-league big man Karl-Anthony Towns was one of the biggest stories of the offseason, and tonight, he’ll make his official debut for his new squad. The most important part of his fit on the Knicks will be his chemistry with Jalen Brunson. There is no doubt that their two-man game will be lethal. Both stars will open up space and shots for each other and their pick-and-rolls are sure to give opposing defenses nightmares. However, to win a championship, the Brunson-KAT duo will need to be dominant, as the East is better than ever. Tonight we’ll get an idea of just how scared the league should be of this pairing.
2. Who steps up off the bench?
The Knicks added significant starpower over the summer in Towns and Mikal Bridges (as well as OG Anunoby at last year’s trade deadline), but in the process, they sacrificed a significant amount of depth. Especially in the absence of Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, this team’s second unit is made up largely of unproven youngsters. Tom Thibodeau is notorious for running tight rotations, but depth still matters, and at least a couple bench players will need to step up and prove to be worthy of consistent minutes. The betting favorites to do so are Miles McBride, the sparky two-way guard who played big minutes in the 2024 playoffs, and Cam Payne, the crafty veteran. However, New York is shallower at other positions besides guard. There is a lot riding on Jericho Sims eating up center minutes effectively until Robinson and Achiuwa return. Raw rookie Pacome Dadiet may be thrust into the rotation earlier than anticipated as a backup to Bridges and Anunoby. Are those guys up to the task?
3. Mikal Bridges’ defense
Once a Defensive Player of the Year finalist, Bridges has taken a step back in terms of his defensive reputation. His effort and impact on that end fell in Brooklyn as his offensive responsibility skyrocketed. Now back to playing a smaller, complementary role, can he return to his Phoenix form on D? If he does, the Knicks could have one of the best defensive duos in basketball between him and OG Anunoby.
Boston Celtics
1. No Porzingis, no problem?
Boston’s resident unicorn Kristaps Porzingis is slated to be out of the lineup until December as he rehabs from an injury. Until then, the Celtics have a seven-footer-sized hole they need to fill. Old man Al Horford has proven to still be very capable of being a spot starter, but his body can only handle so much and Joe Mazzulla undoubtedly would like to preserve the best version of the former All-Star for the playoffs. Therefore, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta will be looked towards to pick up some of the slack. Kornet is the safer option, as he has played big minutes for the team in the past. Queta, though, is much more intriguing. The Portuguese center is a monstrous shot blocker and lob threat. Regardless of which guy plays, how good they are will matter for the Celtics until they get Porzingis back.
2. Jayson Tatum’s jumper
It’s no secret that Tatum struggled big time as a jump shooter in the playoffs. He connected on just 28.3% of his triples during Boston’s championship run and has been ridiculed for it by fans. To reestablish himself as one of the best players in the world, he needs to find his stroke again. In preseason, his signature hitch looked smoothed out, so he’s clearly been working on his shot. Time will tell if the results come to light in the real season.
3. Do any young guys play?
Since they’re so stacked at the top of their lineup, Boston usually only goes deep in their bench if they’re in a blowout. However, their reserve group features some intriguing youngsters including former first round pick Jaden Springer and 2023 draftee Jordan Walsh. Those guys could prove to be diamonds in the rough if they get any chances to play minutes for the champs.
Minnesota Timberwolves
1. Ant supremacy
Anthony Edwards is the chosen one, the heir apparent to the NBA throne as the next generation of stars rises. He’s gotten better and better every year, but he still has leaps to make if he’s to live up to the hype around his name. It would go a long way for Minnesota’s title hopes if Ant looked like the best player on the court night in and night out this season, and tonight is the perfect night for him to assert his dominance and begin a potential MVP tour as he takes on two Hall of Famers.
2. Randle in action
Julius Randle is one of the most heavily criticized and disrespected stars in the sport, so it’s no surprise that the media was quick to pile on his fit in Minnesota when he landed there in September. However, there are many reasons to be optimistic about what he can bring to his new team, and tonight he can begin to prove doubters wrong with the eyes of the entire NBA world on him. For more thoughts on what role Randle could play for the Wolves, check out this article after you finish this one!
3. Garza minutes?
This one is for the sickos. Former college superstar Luka Garza has stuck in the NBA when many thought he couldn’t, but he has yet to crack a rotation despite the truly insane production he’s had in his limited burn. With Karl-Anthony Towns gone, there are big man minutes for the taking in Minnesota. Can Garza snatch them up? He certainly looked capable of doing so when he dropped 29 points in a preseason game versus Denver.
Los Angeles Lakers
1. LeBron James, the eternal
The King is entering his 22nd NBA season, a milestone that ties the all-time record, and he still looks as good as ever. Every season seems like it might finally be the one where cracks form in the armor and James starts to decline, but it never happens. So, there’s no reason to believe that this year will be the one. Expect LeBron to come out still playing like the GOAT and enjoy it while he’s still around.
2. Dalton Knecht, JJ Redick disciple
New head coach JJ Redick is one of the best movement shooters ever, and he’s been given a baby version of himself to mentor in Dalton Knecht. The Tennessee product looked incredibly confident in summer league and preseason, and he’s ready to play minutes right away. Redick is going to cook up some disgusting sets for the young sniper and it’s going to be awesome.
3. Overall schemes, coaching, and identity
JJ Redick is an incredible basketball mind, but he’s never coached professionally before. What he does to maximize this Lakers team on both ends will be super interesting to watch, as this roster has the personnel to operate at a playoff level on both ends. What identity will they take on? Who makes the nightly rotation? How good is Redick on the whiteboard? These questions will need to have good answers to make the most out of the rest of LeBron’s career.
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