The NBA season for 2025-26 began with two high-profile games on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, led the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory over Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets in overtime. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler propelled the Golden State Warriors past the Los Angeles Lakers, who were missing LeBron James due to sciatica. Both games were broadcast on NBC, which reintroduced the nostalgic Roundball Rock theme music from the ’90s.
The Toronto Raptors are set to start their season in Atlanta, aiming to secure a playoff spot after missing out for two consecutive years. Canada remains the top foreign supplier of NBA players, with 23 Canadians currently playing in the league, more than any other country.
Key Canadian players to watch this season include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who recently secured their first NBA championship. Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers also made significant contributions during the playoffs last season.
Other notable Canadian players include Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers, Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns, Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat, and RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors. Each player brings their unique skills and contributions to their respective teams for the upcoming season.
