2025–26 NBA season

In addition to regular preseason games hosted at NBA teams' own arenas, the NBA often hosts neutral site preseason games (either in domestic non-NBA markets or foreign markets) or against non-NBA teams. Listed below are only those neutral site or preseason games.

The NBA released the regular season schedule on August 14, with select games announced in advance of the full schedule release.^[44]

The top six seeds in each conference advanced to the main rounds of the 2026 NBA playoffs, while the next four seeds participated in a Page playoff system tournament from April 14–17, 2026. The 7th-place team hosted the 8th-place team in the double-chance round needing to win one game to advance, with the winner clinching the 7th seed in the playoffs. The 9th-place team hosted the 10th-place team in the elimination round requiring two wins to advance, with the loser being eliminated from the contention. The loser in the double-chance round hosted the elimination-round game-winner, with the winner clinching the 8th seed and the loser being eliminated.^[51]

The playoffs began on April 18, 2026.

• The Wells Fargo Center, the home of the Philadelphia 76ers, was renamed to Xfinity Mobile Arena on August 14, 2025, under a new naming rights deal with Xfinity Mobile, a subsidiary of Comcast (Spectacor, a subsidiary company, owns the arena).^[93]
• PHX Arena, the home of the Phoenix Suns, was renamed to Mortgage Matchup Center on October 2, 2025.^[94]

• The Orlando Magic unveiled a new logo and uniforms, taking inspiration from the team's original look from 1989 to 2000. The "shooting ball with stars" logo returned with an updated look while the wordmarks were updated with a star replacing the letter "A" in the words "Orlando" and "Magic", which are reflected in their new uniforms. The team's "Icon" uniform was changed to a blue color while the "Statement" uniform was changed to a black and blue pattern inspired by the team's original warmup gear.^[95]
• The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a new purple Statement Edition uniform. The Lakers' white wordmark is outlined in gold, and the white jersey numbers have a gold drop shadow. The design removes the previous black side panel, leaving only purple and gold, with "Los Angeles Lakers" along the side trim. The primary logo appears at the center of the shorts, while the "LA" mark is shown on both sides for the first time on a core uniform. "Leave a Legacy" is placed above the jock tag, and "17" at the back of the neck represents the team's championships.^[96]
• The Phoenix Suns unveiled a new black Statement Edition uniform. The uniform takes inspiration from Arizona's sunsets with a purple and orange The Valley gradient throughout its design. A bold Phoenix wordmark is placed on the chest at an angle where the left side is leaning downwards. The team's sunburst logo was reimagined with the Valley-inspired gradient streaks across the shorts, while the classic sunburst logo is on the center of the beltline. The Suns would wear this uniform for the first time on October 31 against the Utah Jazz in their first 2025 NBA Cup game.^[97]
• The NBA, in partnership with Topps, announced that players who played their first NBA game would wear an "NBA Debut" patch on their uniforms, which were then removed and authenticated after the game on an autographed, one-on-one numbered rookie card. Additionally, previous season's winners of the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year would wear a gold NBA logo patch on the back of their uniforms for the entire season.^[98] All award winners and members of last season's All-NBA, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams also wore a special patch on their uniforms (or lapels in the case of Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year winners) during their first game of the season. These patches depicted specific silhouettes tied to each player's award or year-end team selection. After the game, these uniforms are auctioned off by Sotheby's throughout the season.^[99] LeBron James would also wear a special patch on his uniform commemorating his record 23rd NBA season, starting with the January 12 game at the Sacramento Kings. This design featured his trademark chalk toss silhouette in front of each of the four colors corresponding to the teams he played: navy for his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, red for the Miami Heat, wine for his second stint with the Cavaliers, and gold for the Los Angeles Lakers.^[100]

• The league introduced a new circular design for the shot clock.^[185]
• On September 10, 2025, the NBA approved a rule change that will consider any shot taken within the final three seconds of the first three quarters that is taken from at least 36 feet away on any play that starts in the backcourt as a team shot attempt and not an individual one.^[186]
• On October 13, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks signed Alex Antetokounmpo to a two-way deal. With his brothers Giannis and Thanasis, this marks the first time in NBA history that three brothers have been on the same team's roster at the same time.^[187]
• On October 23, 2025, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were among those indicted for allegedly conducting rigged sports betting and poker games.^[188]
• On October 23, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team in NBA history to head to double overtime in both of their first two games of the season.^[189]
• On October 24, 2025, Luka Dončić became the fourth player in NBA history to open a season with back-to-back 40+ point games. He also became the first player in NBA history to open a season with back-to-back games of 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists.^[190]
• On October 24, 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to have 60+ points, 30+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in the first two games of a season.^[190]
• On October 29, 2025, Nikola Jokić set the record for most triple-doubles in under 30 minutes, with 17. The previous record was held by Russell Westbrook.^[191] He also tied the record for most consecutive triple-doubles to start the season, with 4; the record is also held by Westbrook and Oscar Robertson.^[192]
• On November 10, 2025, the Cleveland Cavaliers set the record for most consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 three-pointers, with 98. The previous record was held by the Houston Rockets with a streak from 2018 to 2020. The streak ended on December 3, 2025, at 110 games.^[193]
• On November 11, 2025, general manager Nico Harrison was fired from the Dallas Mavericks, nine months after orchestrating the Luka Dončić trade.^[194]
• On November 14, 2025, Russell Westbrook became the second player after LeBron James to record 25,000 career points and 10,000 career assists.^[195]
• On November 18, 2025, LeBron James set the record for most seasons played, with 23, breaking the record previously held by Vince Carter.^[196]
• On December 4, 2025, LeBron James's streak of 1,297 games of scoring 10 or more points came to an end after he scored 8 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors.^[197]
• On December 6, 2025, the New York Knicks opened the game with a 23–0 scoring run against the Utah Jazz, the largest game-opening run without an opponent scoring since the league began keeping detailed play-by-play records in the 1997–98 season.^[198] The total record for most consecutive points to start a game before the opponent scored was 29, set by the Los Angeles Lakers against the Sacramento Kings on February 4, 1987.^[199]
• On December 10, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder tied the record for the best 25-game start, going 24–1 with a victory over the Phoenix Suns. This matches the record set by the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors.^[200]
• On December 14, 2025, Stephen Curry broke the all time record for most 40-point games after the age of 30, surpassing Michael Jordan with a 48-point game in a 131–139 loss to the Trailblazers.^[201]
• On December 15, 2025, Cooper Flagg became the youngest player to score 40 points, at the age of 18 years, 359 days. The previous record of 19 years, 88 days was held by LeBron James.^[202]
• On December 20, 2025, LeBron James became the oldest player to score 30 points, at the age of 40 years, 355 days. The previous record of 40 years, 294 days was held by Dirk Nowitzki.^[203]
• On December 22, 2025, Kon Knueppel set the record for the fewest games to make 100 three-pointers, with 29. The previous record of 41 was held by Lauri Markkanen.^[204]
• On December 25, 2025, Nikola Jokić set the record for the most points in a single overtime period, with 18. The previous record of 17 was held by Stephen Curry.^[205] In the same game, he set the record for the most points in a 15/15/15 game with 56.^[206] The previous record of 53 was held by James Harden.^[207]
• On January 8, 2026, Rick Carlisle became the 11th head coach to record 1,000 regular season wins.^[208]
• On January 10, 2026, Cody Williams set the record for the worst single-game plus/minus, recording a –60 in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The previous record of –58 was held by Scoot Henderson and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.^[209]
• On January 28, 2026, LeBron James became the first player to play 60,000 career minutes in the regular season.^[210]
• On January 29, 2026, Cooper Flagg set the record for most points in a game by a teenager, with 49 in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The previous record of 45 was held by Cliff Robinson.^[211]
• On February 12, 2026, LeBron James became the oldest player to record a triple-double, at the age of 41 years, 44 days. The previous record of 40 years, 127 days was held by Karl Malone.^[212]
• On February 24, 2026, Kon Knueppel set the record for the fewest games to make 200 three-pointers, with 58. The previous record of 69 was held by Duncan Robinson.^[213]
• On February 26, 2026, Kon Knueppel set the record for the most three-pointers in a season by a rookie, with 207. The previous record was held by Keegan Murray.^[214]
• On March 1, 2026, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored after the age of 40, with 1,942.
• On March 1, 2026, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive road games scoring 20 points, with 59.^[215]
• On March 3, 2026, the Philadelphia 76ers became the first team in NBA history to lose three home games by 40 or more points, with a 131–91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.^[216][217]
• On March 5, 2026, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career field goals made, with 15,838.^[218]
• On March 9, 2026, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the second player to have 35 points and 15 assists with no turnovers in a game, joining LeBron James.^[219]
• On March 10, 2026, Bam Adebayo scored the second-most points in a game in NBA history, with 83 points in a 150–129 victory over the Washington Wizards. He made 36 of 43 free throws, both NBA records. The previous record of 28 free throws was held by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley, and the previous record of 39 free throw attempts was held by Dwight Howard.^[220]
• On March 12, 2026, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive games scoring 20 points, with 127.^[221]
• On March 19, 2026, the Detroit Pistons secured their first 50-win season since 2007–08.^[222]
• On March 21, 2026, LeBron James surpassed Robert Parish for the most regular season games played, with 1,612.^[223]
• On March 21, 2026, Kevin Durant passed Michael Jordan for 5th on the league's scoring list.^[224]
• On March 25, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves set a record for the largest overtime comeback (13 points) in the play-by-play era.^[225]
• On March 25, 2026, Kevin Durant passed Dirk Nowitzki for 8th on the career field goals list.^[225]
• On March 25, 2026, Nikola Jokić became the first player to record 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in consecutive games.^[226]
• On March 25, 2026, the NBA board of governors authorized the exploration of expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.^[227]
• On March 26, 2026, Kon Knueppel set the record for the fewest games to make 250 three-pointers, with 72. The previous record of 79 was held by Duncan Robinson.^[228]
• On March 29, 2026, the Toronto Raptors set an NBA record in the play-by-play era by scoring 31 unanswered points against the Orlando Magic.^[229] The previous record of 30 was held by the Denver Nuggets against the Oklahoma City Thunder.^[230]
• On March 30, 2026, LeBron James recorded the 125th triple-double of his career with 21 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds to break his own record for the oldest player to record a triple-double, at the age of 41 years, 90 days.^[231]
• On April 1, 2026, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most wins in the regular season and the postseason, with 1,229.^[232]
• On April 1, 2026, Nikola Jokić became the second player to average a triple-double in consecutive seasons, joining Russell Westbrook, who did so in three consecutive seasons.^[233]
• On April 2, 2026, Toumani Camara set the record for most personal fouls drawn in a season, with 100. The NBA first began tracking the stat in the 2005–06 season. The previous record was held by Anderson Varejão.^[234]
• On April 3, 2026, Cooper Flagg became the youngest player to score 50 points, at the age of 19 years, 103 days. The previous record of 20 years, 52 days was held by Brandon Jennings.^[235]
• On April 6, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies tied the record for the most three-pointers in a game with 29 in a 126–142 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The record is also held by the 2024–25 Boston Celtics and the 2020–21 Milwaukee Bucks.^[236]
• On April 10, 2026, the Boston Celtics tied the record for the most three-pointers in a game with 29 in a 144–118 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.^[237] In this game, the Celtics recorded their fourth 80-point first half of the season, setting an NBA record for 80-point first halves in a season.^[238]
• On April 10, 2026, John Konchar and Bez Mbeng of the Utah Jazz and Jahmai Mashack of the Memphis Grizzlies became the first trio in NBA history to each record a triple-double in the same game.^[239]
• On April 10, 2026, LeBron James became the fourth player in NBA history to record 12,000 career assists and the first non-point guard to do so.^[240]
• Nikola Jokić became the first player to lead the league in both rebounds per game and assists per game.^[241]
• Kon Knueppel became the first rookie to lead the league in three-pointers.^[242]
• The Detroit Pistons became the first team in NBA history to win 60 games after losing 60 games two seasons prior.^[243]
• On April 13, 2026, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to win the Player of the Week award 70 times.^[244]

• Bam Adebayo's 83-point game