Let's simulate the entire NBA season: How the biggest storylines could unfold

3 weeks ago 4

How volition the NBA play look if my stats-based projections are an close measurement of squad ability?

The intent of simulating the NBA play up of clip is mostly to spot however often assorted things are apt to happen, from the weakest teams winning the draught lottery to the champion ones taking location the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

It tin besides beryllium amusive to spell done idiosyncratic runs of the simulation to springiness an thought of what improbable events could go world based connected random chance.

In the tone of ESPN's NFL contented of detailing the events of a azygous simulation, let's spell done the NBA play utilizing simulation No. 620 -- chosen due to the fact that of its absorbing outcomes -- from opening nighttime to the extremity of the NBA Finals.

Note, this is not my prediction (or ESPN's) of however this play volition unfold. The outcomes are produced astatine random via simulation, and everything else, including subordinate stats, takes originative license.

Along the way, we'll crown an NBA Cup winner, bask the enactment connected Christmas Day, find the last playoff seeds, acceptable the draught lottery and winner, tally done the play-in tournament, playoffs and finally, sanction the 2025-26 NBA champion. Let's get to it.

Oct. 21: Thunder, Warriors predominate Opening Night

Oklahoma City Thunder implicit Houston Rockets
Golden State Warriors implicit Los Angeles Lakers

After getting their title rings and raising the archetypal banner successful the rafters astatine Paycom Arena, the Thunder showed wherefore they were favored to repetition with an awesome triumph during Kevin Durant's Houston debut. Durant scored 27 points against his erstwhile team, the archetypal time of the regular season, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams some topped 20 points and Chet Holmgren had 5 blocks.

Later, the Warriors spoiled Luka Doncic's archetypal location opener with the Lakers, handing them a 107-99 defeat. Afterward, an ebullient Draymond Green vowed that the Warriors, not Oklahoma City, should beryllium considered the rubric favorites.