Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Wild Start To NBA Season + Why The East Is Wide Open
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Nov 17, 2025 The NBA season kicks off with thrilling games, featuring epic finishes and buzzer-beaters. The Hawks are impressing without Trae Young, while the Knicks are grappling with injuries. A deep dive into the Cavs' struggles reveals they haven't hit last year's peak. Kevin Durant remains a scoring machine, and the Pelicans shake things up by parting ways with Willie Green. Meanwhile, the Thunder are generating buzz with a potential chase for 70 wins, leading to discussions about their bright future.
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Exceptional Early-Season Drama
- The NBA has delivered an extraordinary stretch of close, dramatic games across multiple nights this week.
- Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps say routine regular-season games have felt like must-see events for basketball fans.
Hawks Thrive With Size And Defense
- The Atlanta Hawks play fundamentally different defense without Trae Young and have thrived early.
- Bontemps highlights Nikhil Alexander-Walker's defense and added size as proof the Hawks can function without Trae as a primary creator.
Cavs' Efficiency Has Fallen
- The Cavaliers remain good but less efficient than last year, with offensive metrics and efficiency down.
- Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps identify Donovan Mitchell carrying a heavy offensive load while the supporting creation has diminished.