What happened: The 2026-27 NBA regular season starts tonight with 11 games involving 22 teams. Miami hosts Ant and LaMelo against Giannis and Bam, while Steph and Golden State visit Luka and the Lakers in Los Angeles. Kawhi returns to Toronto against Chicago and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, Houston's Durant meets Dallas' Flagg, and Haliburton, Irving and Lillard return to regular-season action.

Why it matters: Opening-night rotations show which reshaped pairings start together under regular-season pressure. The returns of Haliburton, Irving and Lillard reset backcourt depth after extended absences. Wilson's debut against elite wing defense gives an early measure of the top of the draft class.

What to watch: Final scores set the early standings before the rest of the schedule begins. Minutes and starting assignments for the returning guards indicate who is at full strength.