The Lakers will be without one superstar as LeBron James sits out the early weeks of the season with a back injury, but Los Angeles still has a stud to lean on.

The 2025-26 National Basketball Association (NBA) season gets under way on Tuesday when defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Houston Rockets in the opening match.

About 30 minutes before Tuesday's season opener against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, the Thunder will receive the championship rings and unveil the 2024-25 banner celebrating OKC's first titl...