Last Updated on October 21, 2025 11:51 am by Mike Passador | Published: October 21, 2025

Welcome back everyone! It’s an exciting time around these parts as a long offseason is behind us and real basketball is right around the corner. We’ll be delivering analysis for you every single hour of every single day on our blurb feed, with plenty of articles at daily and weekly intervals to help you cruise through your season. The first of the year is this one right here (we’re not counting the dozens and dozens we did in the Draft Guide). It’s time for The Week Ahead.

In this article, which will be posted near the end of the week — look for The Week Ahead to drop on Fridays this year — we’re going to touch on some notable topics around the league, give you schedule tips so you can maximize your games played and set your lineups properly, and maybe even mention a few names worth adding off the waiver wire (in case you need a third source of reinforcement after the blurb feed and our Daily Cheat Sheets).

It’s time to start the music, it’s time to light the lights. It’s time to get things started in the NBA tonight! Muppets forever. Let’s go.

Injured Stars

Unfortunately we already have a few guys who are set to miss the start of the season, with major fantasy implications.

LeBron James is dealing with sciatica — a little on the nose for the league’s oldest player — and is looking at a couple weeks on the sidelines. Gabe Vincent is expected to start on opening night but he was basically splitting time with Marcus Smart in the preseason, and Smart’s ability to grab steals makes him a more compelling fantasy stream. Rui Hachimura should also get a few more shots but that won’t change much.

Coby White will miss a couple of weeks with a calf strain after some optimism that he’d be prepared for opening night. That’ll mess with a Bulls offense that was dynamite down the stretch last year as nobody can replace White’s blend of shooting and playmaking. Kevin Huerter was likely going to start already but this makes him slightly more important, while Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones also get extra time. Dosunmu and Huerter are the safe picks but Jones is on the board if you need assists.

Jalen Green will miss at least opening night and likely a little longer with his hamstring strain. Dillon Brooks should launch more shots and Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale could start. All are streaming options depending on what you need.

Mark Williams insists he’s ready for opening night but with him, you almost have to believe it when you see it. Keep an eye on Khaman Maluach.

Joel Embiid, against all odds, looks ready to go! The Sixers started him next to Adem Bona in their one preseason game together and that situation is very much worth watching.

Paul George, meanwhile, is nowhere to be found as the Sixers are going to take it slow and steady with him. Kelly Oubre, step on up (again).

Josh Hart is dealing with a back injury and Mitchell Robinson might already be getting a workload management day. That’s crazy. Those two usually benefit when one is out, so we’ll get a good look at how Mike Brown values his bench guys. Guerschon Yabusele, Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson are all in the mix to do a little more.

The Grizzlies have no PG depth anymore. Ja Morant should play on Wednesday but is already banged up, and Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. are non-factors for a while — at least a month for Jerome and at least three months for Pippen. If Morant goes down, they’re left with rookie Javon Small and a bunch of wings.

Jalen Williams is still out while recovering from wrist surgery but all indications are he won’t miss much time. Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins should get a nice early bump.

Now, onto a lighter subject.

Schedule Breakdown

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• About the Author
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Mike Passador

Mike graduated from Boston University’s Dual Degree Program with a BA in Economics and a BS in Business with Concentrations in Marketing and Operations Management. He is a faithful supporter of Toronto sports and the Detroit Lions and is always ready to be let down. Tweet to him @Mike_Pandador, but if you badmouth Jose Calderon you might get blocked.

• The Week Ahead: Welcome Back
• Fantasy Basketball Draft Guide 2025: ADP Report, Volume 4
• Fantasy Basketball Draft Guide 2025: Steals, Blocks, 3-Pointers Specialists