Helena Frye
With just 60 days left until the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic all received contract extensions from their respective teams. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Ring Night, before a late game between LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days until the start of the 2025-26 season | 60 |
| Defending champion | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Host | Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets |
| Game | LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry |
| Contract extensions | Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic |
Explore related products
![NBA: Ultimate Jordan (20th Anniversary Three-Disc Collector's Edition) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91zb9y-6nYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Contract extensions for Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic
While there may have been other happenings in the world of basketball last night, one of the most prominent pieces of news was the contract extensions of Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic.
Billy Donovan, the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, agreed to a contract extension on July 27, 2025. In his five seasons with the Bulls, Donovan has led the team to a 195-205 record, including one playoff appearance. Prior to his time in Chicago, Donovan had a successful 19-season coaching career at the University of Florida, winning back-to-back NCAA titles.
Mikal Bridges, a five-time NBA All-Star, signed a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the New York Knicks on August 2, 2025. The extension includes a player option for the 2029-2030 season. Bridges, who averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his first season with the Knicks, was praised by team president Leon Rose for his "dedication, professionalism, and winning pedigree." The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets last year and reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Luka Doncic, a 26-year-old Slovenian superstar, agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 4, 2025. The deal will keep Doncic with the Lakers through the 2027-2028 season, with a player option for the final year. Doncic, a five-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection, averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.7 rebounds in the previous season. He expressed his honour at being a Laker and his vision of a successful future with the team.
These contract extensions highlight the commitment of these individuals to their respective teams and showcase the value that they bring to the court.
The Thrill of Scoring in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 2025-26 season will begin in 60 days
There are only 60 days left until the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. The defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Ring Night, and we'll see LeBron James and Stephen Curry face off once more in the late game.
Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic all received contract extensions from their respective teams last week. Donovan's new contract with the Chicago Bulls is reportedly worth $24 million over four years, with a team option for a fifth year. Bridges, who was an unrestricted free agent, signed a four-year, $90 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. Doncic, meanwhile, signed a five-year, $207 million supermax rookie contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, the team that drafted him.
The 2025-26 season is highly anticipated, with predictions already being made for the East and West conferences and the NBA Finals. The top five seeds, play-in groups, and bottom five are being discussed, with experts weighing in on where all 30 teams will land in the standings.
As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see how their favorite teams and players perform. The NBA is known for its intense competition and dynamic gameplay, and this season promises to deliver even more thrilling moments and memorable performances. With the countdown well and truly on, the excitement is building for what's to come in the 2025-26 NBA season.
Where to Watch USA Men's Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oklahoma City Thunder will host Houston Rockets
The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Houston Rockets for the 2025-26 NBA season opener on October 21. The game will mark the start of the NBC broadcast era and will be preceded by a ceremony where the Thunder will receive their championship rings and the banner will be unveiled. The Thunder will enter the season as a popular championship choice, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren headlining the team.
Kevin Durant, who had an "ugly divorce" from the Thunder in 2016, will make his Rockets debut against his former team. Durant will face off against Gilgeous-Alexander, who is now considered the greatest player in OKC history. The natural rivalry between OKC and Houston adds extra intrigue to the season opener.
The Toyota Center in Houston has been hosting a variety of events leading up to the upcoming NBA season. These include concerts by artists such as Maroon 5 and $uicideboy$, as well as competitions like the BIG3, which features a Texas rivalry between the Houston Rig Hands and the Dallas team.
The Thunder and Rockets previously faced each other on October 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder coming out on top. The game featured notable players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Amen Thompson of the Rockets. With the new season approaching, both teams will be looking to start on a positive note and build momentum for the rest of the year.
Washing Basketball Belts: Machine or Hand Wash?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.99 $18
![NBA 25 Years of Champions [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HG9wnk+8L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
LeBron James and Stephen Curry to play
There's a lot of excitement in the basketball world as we are now just 60 days away from the start of the 2025-26 season! The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Ring Night. But the main event will see LeBron James and Stephen Curry face off once again in the late game.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry are two of the biggest stars in the NBA and their rivalry has defined an era of basketball. James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, is known for his all-around game and dominant physical attributes. Standing at 6'9" with an incredible blend of speed, strength, and skill, he is often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Stephen Curry, on the other hand, has revolutionized the game with his incredible long-range shooting ability. Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, has an exceptional talent for scoring from beyond the arc, changing the way modern basketball is played.
The two players have faced off in the NBA Finals four times, providing some of the most memorable moments in basketball history. In 2015, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over Curry's Golden State Warriors, making him just the second player in history to win the NBA Finals MVP award with three different franchises. However, Curry and the Warriors would go on to win the next two NBA Finals against James' Cavaliers in 2017 and 2018, before LeBron moved to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now, with the 2025-26 season about to tip off, basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. With their teams set to face each other on opening night, we can expect a thrilling contest between two of the game's all-time greats. Get ready for an incredible season of NBA basketball!
The Standard Basketball Size: Official Measurements and Rules
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.95 $14.95
$12.79 $15.99
EuroBasket: Germany wins gold
Germany has won the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, defeating Turkey 88-83 and taking home their first EuroBasket gold medal since 1993. This is Germany's second EuroBasket championship, adding to their FIBA Basketball World Cup victory in 2023.
Germany's victory over Turkey was led by Dennis Schröder, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Schröder delivered crucial back-to-back buckets in the fourth quarter to build Germany's lead, and then sealed the game with two free throws. This is Schröder's second MVP award, as he was also named MVP of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which Germany won.
Turkey entered the EuroBasket 2025 final as underdogs but emerged as contenders with an 8-0 tournament record, including a win over Serbia in the group stages. Turkey's squad was led by Houston Rockets star Alperen Şengün, who scored 28 points in the final, and former NBA pro Cedi Osman, who scored 23 points.
Greece took home the bronze medal, defeating Finland 92-89 earlier on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks led the Greek team to their podium finish.
With their EuroBasket victory, Germany becomes just the fourth team to hold the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket titles simultaneously.
Impact Basketball: Worth the Investment?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The NBA season is yet to start, with 60 days to go until the 2025-26 season opener between the Thunder and the Rockets.
Yes, Billy Donovan, Mikal Bridges, and Luka Doncic all received contract extensions from their respective teams.
There have been allegations of the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer paying Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a "no-show job" to circumvent the NBA's salary cap.
Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. recently sat down with Mary Omatiga to discuss the previous season, his jersey number change, and the characteristics that will define Memphis in 2025.
