As the 2025-2026 NBA season approaches, the league is once again back under the public eye and at a turning point that is marked by increased skill across teams, as well as individual statistical growth for every player. Now that last season’s numbers are finally in place, basketball enthusiasts and analysts alike will be able to see who is best positioned to lead their teams to victory, who will fall, and who will rise to the spotlight this upcoming season.
One player to keep an eye out for is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2024-2025 season, he was one of the most notable players, scoring a league-high 32.7 points per game, with 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds to go along on average. His shots were remarkable: he hit 51.9% of his field goal attempts, 37.5% of his three-point attempts, and 89.8% of his free throw attempts. His dominance in both statistics and during games earned him the 2025 MVP award.
In Golden State, Stephen Curry has once again shown that he is the face of the team and that he’ll continue to carry his team to victory. Last season, he averaged around 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6 assists, with a field goal shooting percentage of 44.8%. He also scored 311 three-pointers during the season, becoming one of the few players in the NBA who have made over 300 threes. The quality shown within each match accentuates the greatness of the presented individual talent.
Nikola Jokic, playing for the Denver Nuggets, once again defied the constraints of his official position. Although he did not lead the league in scoring, he once again dominated all-around statistics, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9 assists per game during the 2024-2025 season. His consistency at the top of statistical categories lends him a seemingly permanent place for the role of MVP in future games.
Defensive prodigy Victor Wembanyama also made an instant impact despite playing just 46 games during the 2024-2025 season. Across those contents, he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game. His record 176 total blocks were the most in the league by sheer number. While he did not play enough games to be called the greatest in the world, his impact was absolutely felt throughout the basketball community.
With these statistics in mind, here is what to expect for this upcoming season:
The Thunder and Nuggets, as well as others, will attempt to coast on their star players to carry them to the playoffs. The Thunder has one of the better all-around rosters behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with Denver still being defined by Jokic’s multi-faceted talent. The Warriors will depend on Curry’s shooting staying strong, praying that veterans Klay Thompson and Draymond Green can stay on the court for this season. In addition to seeing the faces of new and returning players, the 2025–2026 season will be judged by how closely the performances match or deviate from the official numbers from the previous season. There will very likely be more scrutiny, more controversy, and most likely a few surprises as basketball stars attempt to redefine their legacies in the new season.
