The 2025-26 NBA season has started off hot, with a ton of drama and storylines that have reshaped the league’s hierarchy. From shocking trades to devastating injuries, the landscape looks dramatically different from what it did just months ago.
Here’s a look at the five players who entered the season as the NBA’s elite, though their circumstances vary wildly.
1. Nikola Jokic: The Unquestioned King
The Denver Nuggets centre continues his dominance, averaging an astounding 30.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.8 assists through the season’s first month. Jokic made history on October 29 by setting the record for most triple-doubles in under 30 minutes with 17 and tied the record for most consecutive triple-doubles to start a season with four.
At 30 years old, Jokic remains the most complete player in basketball, arguably of all time. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and basketball IQ from the centre position is unmatched in NBA history. While he narrowly missed out on a fourth MVP award last season, his consistency and impact speak for themselves. The Serbian superstar makes everyone around him better, and his efficiency numbers border on the absurd.
What separates Jokic is his reliability. Night after night, he delivers performances that would be career highlights for most players but are just another Tuesday for him. His ability to control the game’s pace while posting triple-doubles efficiently has made him the gold standard for modern NBA excellence.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Reigning Champion
SGA put together one of the most decorated single seasons in NBA history during 2024-25, winning the MVP award, scoring title, and Finals MVP while leading the team to their first championship in the franchise’s Oklahoma City era. He became only the fourth player in NBA history, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal, to win MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title in the same season.
At just 26 years old, the Canadian guard has established himself as one of the game’s most unstoppable forces. He scored 55 points in Oklahoma City’s second game of the season, setting a new career high, and became the first player in NBA history to combine for 250 points and 80 assists while leading his team to an 8-0 start.
SGA’s ability to score from all three levels, draw fouls at will, and play elite defence makes him a complete two-way superstar. The Thunder’s 10-1 start to defend their title suggests last season was no fluke. With his relentless work ethic and humble approach, Gilgeous-Alexander is positioned to dominate the league for years to come.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Greek Freak’s Historic Start
Giannis made NBA history on October 24 by becoming the first player ever to have 60+ points, 30+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in the first two games of a season. The two-time MVP opened the campaign averaging over 31 points and nearly 11 rebounds per game, continuing his reign as one of basketball’s most physically dominant forces.
The 30-year-old remains virtually unstoppable when attacking the rim, and his combination of size, speed, and athleticism creates matchup nightmares for every opponent. While the Bucks have struggled to an 8-9 start and Giannis is currently dealing with a groin injury, his individual brilliance remains undeniable.
His loyalty to Milwaukee and pursuit of another championship with the franchise that drafted him adds to his legacy. When healthy, there are few players in the league capable of taking over games the way Giannis can.
4. Luka Doncic: The Shocking Trade
In perhaps the most stunning trade in NBA history, Luka Doncic was traded from Dallas to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2, 2025, in exchange for Anthony Davis in a three-team deal that shocked the basketball world. It marked the first time in NBA history that two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other mid-season.
Doncic opened his first season with the Lakers by recording three consecutive 40-point games (43, 49, and 44 points), becoming only the second player in NBA history to accomplish this feat, joining Wilt Chamberlain. Now playing alongside his childhood idol LeBron James, the 26-year-old Slovenian star brings his elite playmaking and scoring to Hollywood.
While the trade remains controversial and the Mavericks have struggled mightily in his absence, Doncic’s individual brilliance is undeniable. His step-back three-pointer, court vision, and ability to control the game’s tempo make him one of the most skilled offensive players the league has ever seen.
5. Jayson Tatum: The Devastating Blow
Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact Achilles tendon rupture during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, diving for a loose ball with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The injury has sidelined the Celtics’ star for what could be the entire 2025-26 season, though the team remain cautiously optimistic about a potential late-season return.
Prior to the injury, the 27-year-old was cementing his status as one of the league’s premier two-way players. Last season, he averaged nearly 27 points per game while leading Boston as their primary offensive weapon and showing continued growth as a playmaker and defender.
The Celtics have started 7-7 without their franchise cornerstone, with Jaylen Brown stepping up to lead the offence. Tatum’s presence is felt even from the sidelines, where teammates have praised his involvement as a vocal leader and mentor during his recovery.
The Verdict
The 2025-26 season has proven that anything can happen in the NBA. While Jokic remains the game’s most consistent force and SGA has seized the throne as defending champion and MVP, the league landscape has been dramatically altered by Luka’s blockbuster trade and Tatum’s devastating injury. Giannis continues battling despite Milwaukee’s struggles, showcasing why he remains among the elite.
These five players represent the pinnacle of basketball excellence, even as their individual circumstances vary wildly. As the season unfolds, the battles between these superstars, when they’re all healthy and available, will define the race for this year’s championship.
