The 2026/27 NBA season has started off supremely well, with frequent changes at the top of the conference standings and star players putting in career-high performances.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta breaks down what has happened so far around the league.
76ers flying high
Many tipped the Philadelphia 76ers to excel this year following additions to their team and the stardom has shone bright so far as they sit first in the Eastern Conference.
Coach Nick Nurse has managed to get at least one of his star players to put up an outrageous statline every night, but much of the credit has to come down to Tyrese Maxey’s consistency.
The Sixers’ leading scorer, Maxey has made things look effortless while carrying an offence containing so much talent, including the likes of Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Jaylen Brown.
Ultimately, team cohesion has clicked early for Philadelphia and is the main reason for their domination at the start of the season.
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Early MVP statements
A possible MVP race has already started brewing, with the Western Conference taking centre stage.
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked to franchise player Luka Dončić to take the reins following the departure of James, and the Slovenian has done exactly that and more.
Nearly impossible to guard, Dončić is averaging 40 points per game and boasts a field goal percentage just shy of 50 per cent.
He has been incredibly impressive in typical Luka fashion, racking up a super scoring streak that includes some ridiculous 40+ point games against the Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat.
An offensive catalyst on every Laker possession, Dončić has started his MVP campaign early this season, having already scored 300 points.
Elsewhere, despite the San Antonio Spurs’ shaky start, star player Victor Wembanyama has blossomed into his true self in recent games with some standout performances.
Averaging 29 points and 12 rebounds per game, Wembanyama’s presence on both ends is working wonders for the Spurs, who are now on a hot streak.
Miles ahead on the leading blocks chart, he put the league on notice with an astounding career-high 52-point, 24-rebound and eight-block performance in a crucial win over division rivals the Dallas Mavericks.
Wembanyama has also learnt how to do the most damage inside the paint, easing off from three-point shooting while making sure that he is putting up headline numbers every night.
Rookies already impressing
The rookies of this year’s draft class are already impressing across the league, with a few making more waves than others.
The Memphis Grizzlies began the season incredibly hot, going 6-0 in large part thanks to the strong start made by big man Cameron Boozer.
With Boozer settling into the physicality and pace of the NBA, coach Tuomas Iisalo has been impressed by the rookie’s ability on the floor, scoring creativity, strong defensive capabilities, and basketball intelligence.
Another player excelling is Golden State Warriors guard Yaxel Lendeborg.
Oozing with personality, Lendeborg has been putting up outstanding numbers, scoring efficiently, and making the most of his minutes.
Indeed, he really impressed in a home win against the Los Angeles Clippers, contributing 37 points and shooting 55 per cent from three-point range – numbers that would suggest he has been in the league for some time.
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. has played well too under the guidance of coach Doug Christie.
Averaging 25 points per game, Acuff has looked fearless on the floor alongside being relentless on the offensive end and creating numerous scoring chances.
He looks like a real offensive threat and will hope to continue this form as the season progresses.
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