We’re only six weeks into the NBA season, but some notable storylines have already begun to emerge. While some preseason predictions have unfolded just as expected, there have also been a number of surprising developments around the league.
From the Clippers’ slow start to the revival of the Toronto Raptors, there’s been no shortage of surprises over the first month and a half of the NBA season. That may be a relatively small sample size, but it’s enough to impact the odds and force basketball fans to reconsider their hardcourt predictions.
That’s why we’ve put together this list, to put a spotlight on the seven biggest surprises so far in this NBA season. It’s still early, but these storylines already feel meaningful and could end up shaping the rest of the year. So buckle up and let’s review the biggest NBA trends that no one saw coming.
1. Thunder Unleashed
It’s not uncommon for championship teams to pick up where they left off, but what OKC is doing right now goes far beyond “business as usual.” The defending NBA champions are 20-1 this year and are showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. The offence continues to run through reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists), but they’re also getting significant contributions from Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins. The Thunder are even better defensively, limiting opponents to an NBA-low 106.7 points per game. With plenty of draft capital for the future, we could be looking at the start of the NBA’s next great dynasty.
2. Toronto Turns Heads
Of all the surprises to start the season, perhaps none was bigger than the play of the Raptors. After winning just 30 games last year, Toronto has jumped out to a 14-7 mark and is currently tied with the Knicks atop the Atlantic Division. They’re also a perfect 4-0 in NBA Cup play, becoming the first team to clinch their spot in the next round of the tournament. The big difference in Toronto this season has been Brandon Ingram; the lengthy small-forward gives the Raptors a true go-to scorer and the rest of the squad is playing with more confidence as a result.
3. Austin Reaves Levels Up
Even with his stellar play last year, nobody expected production like this from Austin Reaves. With LeBron James sitting out the first few weeks, Reaves used the opportunity to elevate his game to a whole other level. The Lakers’ shooting guard is averaging 28.1 points per game, placing him among the league’s top scorers. His confidence with the ball is noticeably higher; he’s creating his own shots more consistently and he’s attacking closeouts with authority. Reaves has given Los Angeles a reliable secondary creator alongside Luka and LeBron, and he’s one of the main reasons for the team’s strong start this season.
4. Motown Revival
The Pistons took a big step forward last year, but few people expected them to be sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings at this point in the season. Led by the NBA’s next great duo in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, Detroit is winning games and developing its own identity. The team plays with structure and physicality, while maintaining energy and pace. With Monday’s win over the Hawks, the Pistons are now 17-4 on the campaign and trail only the Thunder for the best record in the NBA. The rebuild in Detroit is clearly ahead of schedule.
5. Spurs Come Out Firing
San Antonio came flying out of the gates this year, winning their first five games for the best start in franchise history. It all starts with Victor Wembanyama, with the 7’4” phenom putting up 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.6 blocks per game. The French superstar may be the centerpiece of this Spurs team, but San Antonio has also gotten major contributions from lightning-quick point guard De’Aaron Fox, 2024 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and two-way scorer Devin Vassell. Put it all together and you’ve got one of the best young teams in the NBA.
6. Knueppel Steals the Spotlight
Heading into the season, there was a lot of hype surrounding a certain Duke rookie that was going to take the league by storm. I guess Kon Knueppel thought they were talking about him and not college teammate Cooper Flagg, because the Hornets’ top draft pick has been lights out to begin his NBA career. Selected with the fourth overall pick, Knueppel is putting up 18.3 points per game, while shooting an impressive 41.5% from beyond the arc. The former Blue Devil is showing excellent poise for a first-year player and has quickly put himself in the running for this year’s Rookie of the Year award.
7. Rockets Offence Takes Off
What happens if you take one of the league’s top defensive teams and add one of the NBA’s all-time scorers? You get this year’s Houston Rockets. Pairing offseason acquisition Kevin Durant with talented big man Alperen Sengun has helped transform this offence. Houston is the fourth-highest scoring team in the NBA this season (121.8 points per game), a full 7.5 points higher than last year. If the Rockets can maintain this level of production, combined with their stifling defence, they could be a real threat to dethrone OKC in the Western Conference.