The NBA Preseason wrapped up on Oct. 17, setting the stage for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday. But before jumping into the 80th season in NBA history, we should look back at the exhibition schedule, as there are several things we can learn in preparation for the real games. From old faces in new places to new styles of play for teams and emerging players, here are the biggest takeaways from the 2025 NBA Preseason.
Size Matters in Houston
The Rockets trading for Kevin Durant was then partially offset by the team losing point guard Fred VanVleet (ACL) for the year. Without a clear-cut point guard replacement for VanVleet, the Rockets leaned into their strength of size during preseason. They utilized a starting lineup with four players 6-foot-10 or taller—Durant, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams—and with 6-foot-7 Amen Thompson as the shortest player on the court. The results were certainly encouraging, as Houston was one of three undefeated teams (4–0) in preseason and they averaged a league-high of 130.8 points.A Magical Downtown
Orlando was a playoff team last season, thanks almost entirely to its defense, which allowed the fewest points per game. On offense, Orlando couldn’t buy a bucket from outside the arc, ranking dead last in both 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage. The Magic then added sharpshooter Desmond Bane in the offseason, amongst other moves, with hopes of kickstarting their perimeter offense.So far, so good, as Orlando ranked 10th in 3-point percentage in preseason, with rookie Jase Richardson particularly standing out. The son of former Magic player Jason Richardson knocked down 70 percent of his 10 3-point attempts as a more balanced Orlando team could be an Eastern Conference contender.
A South Beach Sophomore
Miami’s Kel’el Ware emerged in the second half of last year, even making the All-Rookie Second Team. However, he’s poised to make a leap as a sophomore, based on his preseason dominance. Ware notched three double-doubles across four games in the exhibitions, while no other player had more than one double-double in preseason. He led the NBA Preseason in rebounds (11.0), while also topping in total points (81) and field goals made (32). He even knocked down 8 of 16 (50 percent) three-pointers, giving glimpses of a potential stretch-five. His performance helped cover up, somewhat, the fact that Miami had a league-worst 0–6 preseason record.New-Look Celtics Keeping Old Style of Play
Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford are now playing elsewhere, while Jayson Tatum (Achilles) won’t be playing for a while. However, even though there are several new names and faces in Boston, the team’s offensive approach remains. After setting the all-time NBA record for made 3-pointers in a season (1,457) last year, Boston finished the 2025 NBA Preseason by, again, leading all teams in 3-pointers attempted. However, the Celts weren’t very efficient as, while they attempted the most downtown shots, they made just the tenth-most, shooting only 30.9 percent from beyond the arc. If that type of high volume but low efficiency carries over into the games that matter, coach Joe Mazzulla will have a decision to make on if his team should abandon this approach.Point Zion?
With every new season, we hear about players being in “the best shapes of their lives” but that actually rings true for Zion Williamson. He looks physically much different, and he’s also being utilized differently with the Pelicans. With Dejounte Murray (Achilles) sidelined and CJ McCollum now with the Wizards, New Orleans doesn’t have a clear answer at the point guard position.Enter Point Zion. The oft-injured star ran the point at times for the Pels, and his 4.5 assists per game ranked first amongst forwards in preseason (minimum three games). Hopefully, the weight loss can help Williamson stay on the court and display his passing chops, as to this point, he’s played in just 45 percent of the Pelicans’ games since entering the league in 2019.
A Glimpse Into the Future
With LeBron James (nerve) out for preseason, and the start of the regular season, the Lakers got a peek at what a Luka Doncic-centered squad looks like. With Doncic as the focal point, he led all preseason players with 28 points per game, despite coming off a lengthy EuroBasket run in which he also led that tournament in scoring. Even when James returns, it’s clear that the Lakers will revolve around Doncic, which is a big reason why he’s among the favorites to not only lead the league in scoring but to also win his first MVP award.Post-Pop Era Off to a Good Start
For the first time in nearly three decades, Gregg Popovich won’t be patrolling the sidelines for the Spurs. Mitch Johnson is the new man in charge, and he’s been encouraged to implement his own brand of coaching, rather than deferring to Pop, who remains the team’s president. The early returns are promising, as the Spurs went 5-0 in preseason with the best margin of victory (+17) of all teams.Victor Wembanyama was dominant in his return from blood clots that ended last year early for him. In just 19.6 minutes per game, Wemby averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks. His mere presence has helped San Antonio shore up its biggest weakness as last year the Spurs were dominated on the glass, allowing the second-most rebounds per game. But in the 2025 NBA Preseason, the boards were clearly emphasized as the Spurs allowed the fewest rebounds per game.
