The 2024-25 NBA season is lower than two weeks outdated, however some noteworthy traits are beginning to emerge throughout the league, together with some we maybe weren’t anticipating.

What has been every workforce’s greatest shock to date, good, dangerous or ugly? The Athletic posed that query to its NBA employees. Right here’s what they mentioned.

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Payton Pritchard’s new degree: Following a strong 2023-24 season, Pritchard seems to have taken a leap after averaging 16.2 factors per sport over the Celtics’ first 5 contests. Coming into Thursday evening, he was tied for second within the NBA with 23 made 3-pointers and has performed that regardless of no perimeter accidents above him on Boston’s depth chart. Extremely, on condition that he comes off the bench, Pritchard has tried practically 10 3-pointers per sport. He’s enjoying with a inexperienced gentle to date. It’s not simple to earn extra enjoying time on this Celtics roster, however Pritchard is making the case. — Jay King

Brooklyn Nets

Jordi Fernández: The Nets coach acquired his large break to take over a workforce broadly earmarked for the worst report within the league, however he has Brooklyn enjoying on a string and looking out like a workforce preventing for a playoff spot. Within the Nets’ final three video games, they’ve overwhelmed Milwaukee and Memphis, bookending an additional time loss to Denver. Dennis Schröder and Cam Thomas are combining for 52 factors per sport, and Fernández is making small-ball lineups work whereas Nic Claxton is on a minutes restriction. The Nets actually have been one of many nice surprises of the early season. — Jared Weiss

New York Knicks

Lack of 3s: Earlier than Wednesday evening’s sport in Miami, when the Knicks fired up 40 3s, New York was lifeless final within the NBA in 3-point makes an attempt per sport. It’s stunning solely as a result of the additions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, two good 3-point shooters, added to a beginning lineup this offseason that already featured Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, two extra good 3-point shooters. The Knicks must iron out spacing kinks and never flip down as many appears to be like in hopes of getting a greater shot. The efficiency towards the Heat was a step in the suitable route. — James L. Edwards III

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Philadelphia 76ers

Poor deep capturing: With Joel Embiid and Paul George out to start out the season, the Sixers had been relying on their supporting forged to step up. Tyrese Maxey has been going all out to hold the workforce, however his teammates have been bricking every part he’s feeding them. The one Sixer making greater than a 3rd of his 3-point makes an attempt is Kyle Lowry, one thing that ought to at the least be ameliorated when George and Embiid return. But when Philadelphia goes to satisfy its potential this yr and show this core is value sticking with long-term, the supporting forged must hit open pictures. — Jared Weiss

Toronto Raptors

Jonathan Mogbo’s manufacturing: Due to a spate of accidents, the Raptors have gone deep down their roster to fill out the nightly rotation. A pair of second-round rookies, Mogbo and Jamal Shead, have performed actual minutes. Each have been good, however the best way Mogbo has been in a position to affect the sport as a non-center with no jumper has been a pleasant shock. Mogbo has been glorious in transition, each as a passer and finisher, and was tied for sixth within the league in deflections coming into Thursday evening regardless of enjoying simply 83 minutes via 5 video games. — Eric Koreen

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

Lonzo Ball: It wasn’t way back that the majority hoop heads thought they might by no means see Ball on an NBA courtroom once more. Not solely is Ball again, however he appears to be like nice. His capturing has been cash. His imaginative and prescient and passing are nonetheless on level. He’s even preserving the Bulls related defensively by shifting, swarming, speaking and trapping. Ball is on a 16-minute restriction, and he’ll now be sidelined for at the least 10 days with a sprained proper wrist. Nonetheless, he’s been a pleasing shock. Greater than that, he’s been one of many Bulls’ most constructive contributors. — Darnell Mayberry

Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley appears higher: Or, I ought to say, the brand new Cavs teaching employees has appeared to have discovered a method to higher make the most of Mobley whereas Jarrett Allen is on the ground. Mobley is dealing with the ball much more, and his assists are up — working the offense via Mobley has allowed the workforce to keep up spacing whereas preserving its two bigs on the ground at the start and finish of video games. This can be a shock as a result of, nicely, if it had been doable, the Cavs ought to have been doing it final season. It’s early within the season, however Kenny Atkinson deserves credit score. — Joe Vardon

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Detroit Pistons

Jaden Ivey: Though Cade Cunningham is on tempo for a profession season offensively, Ivey has been the Pistons’ greatest shock. Coming into Wednesday, Ivey was averaging at the least 20 factors for the primary time in his profession and capturing a career-best 42.9 % from 3 on 5.3 makes an attempt per sport. If that’s not spectacular sufficient, Ivey was capturing 50 % within the restricted space on 7.5 makes an attempt per contest. Per NBA.com, the one gamers within the league capturing a better share on extra makes an attempt are Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jeremy Sochan, RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Ivey appears to have discovered a rhythm together with his tempo offensively, and his shot appears to be like fluid. — Hunter Patterson

The Pistons will possible go so far as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey take them. (Michael Reaves / Getty Photographs)

Indiana Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin: Mathurin’s season-ending harm final season was unlucky for him and for the workforce, which made it to the Japanese Convention finals anyway and was aggressive towards the Celtics. I didn’t see Mathurin returning and having this affect via 5 video games, trailing solely Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam in scoring. Halloween simply handed, so let’s not begin nonsense speak like, “So and so is the favourite to be NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months,” however via 5 video games, Mathurin has proved a reputable bench menace. — Joe Vardon

Milwaukee Bucks

Poor effort and focus: After a powerful opening evening towards the Philadelphia 76ers, the Bucks introduced a lazy strategy to the primary half of their video games towards the Bulls and Nets. In each contests, the Bucks paid for it as a result of each groups carried the arrogance they gained within the first half to the second half. Bucks coach Doc Rivers known as the 2 losses “horrible video games.” Frankly, it’s been surprising to look at a workforce that entered the season believing it may contend for a title deliver such poor focus and energy within the first week. — Eric Nehm

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Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

Dyson Daniels: Amid a tough begin that noticed the Hawks lose twice to the lowly Wizards and undergo quite a few accidents, the play of Daniels has been among the many few shiny spots. Acquired within the Dejounte Murray commerce with New Orleans, the 21-year-old Australian has been a terror on protection with 15 “shares” (whole steals and blocks) in simply 4 video games. Daniels is also contributing a decent 12.8 factors per sport on 35.3 % capturing from 3. The 6-foot-8 Daniels appears to be like like a long-term fixture within the backcourt as a defensive stopper subsequent to Trae Young. — John Hollinger

Charlotte Hornets

Nick Richards: Perhaps Tre Mann is the simpler reply, as he’s practically doubled his scoring common this season, however Richards has stepped into the void that’s the heart spot for the Hornets with Mark Williams out. Richards’ counting stats are up, as are his per-100-possession stats. The Hornets are 2-2, partly, due to their stunning effectiveness on the offensive boards. They lead the NBA in offensive rebounding charge, in keeping with Cleansing The Glass, after rating twenty eighth final season, they usually’re first in putback factors per miss. It’s all helped them put up the league’s fourth-most environment friendly offense per 100 possessions regardless of being simply thirteenth in efficient discipline purpose share. Richards is second within the NBA in offensive rebounds per sport and within the a centesimal percentile amongst bigs in offensive rebounding charge, whereas averaging 13.5 factors and 11.8 rebounds per sport. — Mike Vorkunov

Miami Warmth

Bam Adebayo’s lack of scoring: Coming into this season, one of the vital fascinating storylines in Miami was the potential enlargement of Adebayo’s offensive arsenal. Whereas Adebayo is already among the best two-way gamers within the league, the hope was that extending his capturing vary to the 3-point line and surrounding him with higher guard play would make him a fair greater menace offensively. By 4 video games, he’s the fourth-leading scorer on the Warmth, averaging 11 factors per sport, and he’s tried greater than 10 pictures in a sport solely as soon as. Miami has to make him a much bigger precedence. — Will Guillory

Orlando Magic

Anthony Black’s enjoying time: The Magic have one of many deepest groups within the league, however Black is averaging a hefty 25.6 minutes per sport. It’s not that Black isn’t proficient. He was the sixth choose within the sturdy 2023 draft, in spite of everything. It’s that he’s carved out a key position this early in his second season at 20 years outdated. He performed a big think about Orlando’s opening-game victory in Miami after Jalen Suggs confronted early foul hassle. Given Black’s positional measurement and really feel for the sport, he has an opportunity to turn into an important member of the Magic’s nucleus. — Josh Robbins

Washington Wizards

Bilal Coulibaly’s development: Crew officers and followers hoped Coulibaly would take an enormous step on offense in his second NBA season. However in the course of the preseason, he was nowhere close to this assertive — or this good. (To be honest, he missed Washington’s last two exhibitions due to an injured left index finger.) Apart from a excessive charge of turnovers, he’s been very good in an enhanced playmaking position. It’s not simply that he’s averaging 18.8 factors and even that he’s capturing 59 % from the sphere and 42 % from 3. It’s his total confidence. And, bear in mind, he turned 20 in July. He has been spectacular, and that’s essential for Washington’s rebuild.  — Josh Robbins

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Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets

Christian Braun: I believed it could take Braun a couple of weeks, and even months, to correctly acclimate himself to his new position as Denver’s beginning capturing guard. As a substitute, he’s been among the best two-way gamers on the roster to date. He’s not attempting to interchange what the Nuggets misplaced with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He’s being himself. He’s getting out in transition. He’s chopping to the basket. He’s scoring off alternatives, and he’s been stellar defensively. Now, if solely Denver can discover itself a bench… — Tony Jones

Minnesota Timberwolves

Lacking KAT … on protection: When the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Cities for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the rapid response was a priority for an offense that was seventeenth in effectivity final season changing one in every of its two finest weapons. Within the first 4 video games of this season, the place they missed KAT was on protection. His measurement, rebounding and synergy with Rudy Gobert had been essential within the Wolves’ top-ranked protection final season. To date this season, the Wolves have had problem ending possessions as a result of they provide up offensive rebounds. And they’re getting labored in transition as a result of Randle doesn’t but have the cohesion with Gobert that Cities had. It could simply take time to click on in. In the meantime, the Wolves protection has plummeted to thirteenth in a really small pattern measurement. — Jon Krawczynski

The revamped Timberwolves are nonetheless seeking to hit their stride on protection. (David Sherman / NBAE through Getty Photographs)

Oklahoma City Thunder

SGA’s 3-point makes an attempt: The Thunder’s mission to chuck up 3s from in every single place has bled into the sport of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. By no means earlier than has he put up near this many lengthy balls. He took solely three a sport over the previous two seasons. By Oklahoma Metropolis’s 4-0 begin, he’s averaging greater than eight. Gilgeous-Alexander’s energy has all the time been contained in the arc. It’s value monitoring how the development continues. — Fred Katz

Portland Trail Blazers

Two wins already: Oddsmakers positioned the Blazers’ over/beneath line for season wins at 21.5. In different phrases, that is anticipated to be one of many NBA’s bottom-feeder groups. But, listed below are the Blazers after the primary 10 days with wins over two returning playoff groups — New Orleans and on the LA Clippers — of their first 5 video games. There was some encouraging play — Toumani Camara is rising as an NBA All-Defensive team-type participant, and Deandre Ayton has double-doubles in each sport. And there have been some discouraging traits — Deni Avdija is struggling together with his shot and lottery choose Donovan Clingan is having a tough time getting prolonged enjoying time. However total, the largest shock is the younger Blazers are usually not solely successful however beating seasoned, playoff-hopeful groups. — Jason Fast

Utah Jazz

Kyle Filipowski: The pattern measurement to that is small — really, it’s restricted to this week, when Filipowski was ushered into service due to the harm to Taylor Hendricks. However Filipowski has been good on each ends of the ground. He’s proven to be a flexible piece with the flexibility to attain on the inside and the perimeter. He made his first profession NBA begin on Thursday evening towards the San Antonio Spurs and must be a rotation piece via his rookie season. — Tony Jones

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Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors

Buddy Hield: The final we noticed Hield, he was having hassle getting on the ground within the playoffs for a Sixers workforce that wanted additional depth and craved capturing round Joel Embiid. It was honest to wonder if the Warriors signed him to a four-year, $37 million deal (with decide outs) on the declining stage of his profession. That continues to be doable, however Hield has appeared like an ideal slot in Steve Kerr’s motion system, instantly turning into a well-liked locker room character. He already has video games of 21, 22, 27 and 28 factors in 15, 20, 29 and 29 minutes. He enters the weekend making 50 % of his high-volume 3s. — Anthony Slater

LA Clippers

Terance Mann’s struggles: Some individuals could also be stunned by Ivica Zubac’s offensive emergence, however they shouldn’t be. Zubac has all the time had offensive manufacturing in him. However so has Terance Mann, who has gotten off to a tough begin. Within the first 4 video games of this season, Mann has extra fouls (15) than factors (14), whereas lacking all six of his 3s and all three of his free-throw makes an attempt. Mann has all the time had underwhelming quantity, however that at the least got here with high-level effectivity. To date, Mann appears to be like like a participant who’s misplaced offensively, and Amir Coffey and Kris Dunn are closing video games over him. — Legislation Murray

Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis: Davis is enjoying arguably his finest basketball as a Laker on this younger season, averaging 30.6 factors, 12.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals and a couple of.0 blocks. Coach JJ Redick mentioned he wished to empower Davis and make him the focus of the offense, and to date, he’s backed up that messaging. Davis is on tempo to put up the very best scoring common of his profession and his second-highest utilization share (31.5 %). The Lakers are guaranteeing he touches the ball everywhere in the ground, with the intention being for him to the touch it on every possession. Mix that together with his usually elite protection, and Davis can be within the MVP dialog if the season ended in the present day. — Jovan Buha

Phoenix Suns

Ryan Dunn: Everybody knew the rookie’s protection would translate. At Virginia, Dunn was among the many higher defensive gamers within the nation. The query was his capturing. Three ACC assistant coaches informed me they admired Dunn’s protection and revered his rebounding and athletic skill however had little interest in guarding him from 20 ft. That’s what makes Dunn a shock, the largest on this rookie class. Not solely is he taking up Phoenix’s hardest defensive assignments (guarding LeBron James, Luka Dončić and James Harden), however he’s making 3s and capturing with confidence. It has earned him a spot in Mike Budenholzer’s rotation, and if he retains it up, it is going to maintain him on the courtroom within the last minutes of shut video games. — Doug Haller

Sacramento Kings

Capturing guard place: After labrum surgical procedure, there have been no ensures Kevin Huerter can be prepared for the common season. However he was cleared proper earlier than opening evening, and Mike Brown instantly plugged him again into the beginning capturing guard position that many believed Keon Ellis had ripped from him completely. The Kings explored Huerter’s commerce market this summer season however didn’t discover an interesting sufficient supply. Huerter’s worth plummeted throughout a career-worst efficiency final season. However he had a profitable observe report earlier than that, and he’s appeared like his outdated self capturing and shifting within the early going. That’s a big improvement, lengthening Sacramento’s rotation by shifting Ellis right into a bench position. — Anthony Slater

Kevin Huerter fires a 3 over Portland’s Kris Murray. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Photographs)

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson: It’s not fairly a shock, however it is vital for the Mavericks that Thompson has performed nicely. It was all the time going to be fascinating to see how good he’d be in Dallas since he’s 34. It’s not just like the Warriors let him stroll as a result of he’s in his prime. However Thompson has shot the ball nicely — he’s hitting practically 40 % of his practically 10 3s per sport, although he struggled Thursday towards Houston. It’s much more pertinent since he’s traditionally been a gradual starter — he’s a profession 35.7 % 3-point shooter in October. Thompson has slot in nicely with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and his dip in scoring is sensible since he’s enjoying a much less important offensive position than in Golden State (his utilization was right down to 19.4 % coming into Thursday), however the Mavericks want him to hit pictures. — Mike Vorkunov

Houston Rockets

Leap in offensive effectivity: The Rockets have a borderline top-10 offense (eleventh in effectivity coming into Thursday, per Cleansing the Glass), and it’s not nearly Jalen Green’s fourth-year leap, capturing enchancment or a significant change in scheme. It’s merely in regards to the delicate energy of screening. Final season, coach Ime Udoka urged beginning heart Alperen Şengün, who generated 9.6 factors off screens per sport, to be extra prepared to create scoring alternatives for others round him. Şengün acquired stronger and improved his conditioning within the offseason — along with the arrival of Steven Adams, the display god himself — which has labored wonders. Coming into Thursday, Houston was scoring 15.6 factors per sport straight off Şengün screens, and the Rockets’ athletes are thriving. — Kelly Iko

Memphis Grizzlies

Santi Aldama: With all due respect to the Jay Huff expertise (wahoowa!), I’d say Aldama’s begin has been extra notable for Memphis’ long-term future. Maybe motivated by the dearth of a contract extension, Aldama has damaged out in his fourth season, averaging 12.8 factors on 52.1 % capturing whereas being pressed into service as a starter 3 times in 5 video games. Included in that whole had been 10 made 3s after Aldama shot simply 33 % on low quantity from distance final season. If the 23-year-old Spaniard provides a real stretch sport to enhance his cell 6-11 body, he turns into a way more credible inside-outside menace. — John Hollinger

New Orleans Pelicans

Zion’s inefficiency: All through his profession, Zion Williamson has confirmed to be one of the vital environment friendly, high-volume scorers in NBA historical past, however he’s been the precise reverse to start out the 2024-25 season. After lacking the Pelicans’ regular-season opener as a consequence of an sickness, Williamson is capturing simply 36.4 % from the ground in his final 4 outings, and his workforce has misplaced three of these 4 video games by at the least 15 factors. He’s had dangerous capturing video games earlier than, however he’s by no means struggled this a lot over a four-game span. — Will Guillory

San Antonio Spurs

Wemby’s Jekyll-and-Hyde begin: The Spurs’ offense is a multitude (twenty ninth in effectivity as of Thursday morning), which is considerably comprehensible within the second yr of a rebuild, however Wembanyama’s scoring has ebbs and flows. On some nights, like the primary dwelling sport towards Houston and Thursday towards Utah, he appears to be like just like the dominant, versatile large we’ve come to adore. On different nights — Wednesday’s nationwide TV showdown towards Chet Holmgren — he appears to be like out of it. Coach Gregg Popovich mentioned it would take Wembanyama a few month to search out an offensive rhythm after a prolonged summer season of basketball. However the second-year large mentioned he feels effective bodily, talking extra in regards to the high quality of pictures he’s getting. And he’s proper; there’s duty on the a part of Chris Paul and Popovich to create advantageous conditions — however the Spurs will finally go so far as Wembanyama’s shoulders will take them. Devin Vassell is inching nearer to a return, which ought to deliver some spacing familiarity and forestall defenses from loading up. — Kelly Iko

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(Prime photograph of Klay Thompson and Victor Wembanyama: Jerome Miron / Imagn Photographs)