BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team explains the format of the NBA ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season starting on Tuesday

Who will be available to play and who will not be available for the Lakers in their regular-season opener against the Warriors?

In our first NBA-focused edition of Newsweek Sports Betting 📩, we give out our NBA Finals and regular season MVP picks.

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of four teams celebrating the start of the 2025-2026 NBA regular season with a Tip-Off Double Header on NBC and Peacock October 21. It's a chance to start the season in primetime amid the much-hyped return of the NBA on NBC, but the Lakers will be doing it without their most visible superstar.

Inside the NBA' returns on ESPN this season with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson. Here's the schedule.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to do something that hasn't been done in the NBA since 2018 — repeat as champion.

The Milwaukee Bucks are ditching a young player inked to a guaranteed contract ahead of the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. More news: Giannis Antetokounmpo Ma

Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined for at least 3 to 4 weeks due to sciatica on his right side. He is out for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. The Lakers start the regular season at home against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in the league's opening-night doubleheader on NBC.

The Golden State Warriors are preparing to take on the Portland Trail Blazers for their third matchup of the NBA regular season, and questions surrounding Jonathan Kuminga's availability for the contest remain a key talking point.

Inside the NBA” will make its ESPN debut on Oct. 22 at 6pm ET across ESPN and ESPN2 (simulcast), the first of 20 planned nights during the regular season for the show as a pregame, halftime and postgame program.

Tuesday's NBA nightcap tips off with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors. NBA season schedule, start time and where to watch.