ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. NBA comparisons use the completed 2025–26 regular season. Each upcoming fixture labels preseason or regular-season status.
The team numbers
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|
| STANDARD STATS |
|---|
| Points / game | 119.8 | 3 / 30 |
|---|
| Rebounds / game | 47.0 | 2 / 30 |
|---|
| Assists / game | 28.1 | 9 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnovers / game | 12.6 | 4 / 30 |
|---|
| Steals / game | 7.5 | 25 / 30 |
|---|
| Blocks / game | 5.5 | 8 / 30 |
|---|
| FG% | 48.3% | 6 / 30 |
|---|
| 3PT% | 35.9% | 15 / 30 |
|---|
| FT% | 78.7% | 12 / 30 |
|---|
| THE LAB MEASURES |
|---|
| eFG% | 55.9% | 7 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnover rate | 11.2% | 4 / 30 |
|---|
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
|---|
| Free-throw pressure | 0.274 | 12 / 30 |
|---|
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|
| STANDARD STATS |
|---|
| Points / game | 117.6 | 9 / 30 |
|---|
| Rebounds / game | 43.8 | 16 / 30 |
|---|
| Assists / game | 29.6 | 2 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnovers / game | 15.0 | 28 / 30 |
|---|
| Steals / game | 8.9 | 8 / 30 |
|---|
| Blocks / game | 3.8 | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| FG% | 46.7% | 17 / 30 |
|---|
| 3PT% | 34.5% | 25 / 30 |
|---|
| FT% | 78.6% | 13 / 30 |
|---|
| THE LAB MEASURES |
|---|
| eFG% | 53.6% | 20 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnover rate | 12.8% | 25 / 30 |
|---|
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
|---|
| Free-throw pressure | 0.277 | 10 / 30 |
|---|
ESPN team totals and game box scores checked October 6. NBA season averages and ranks use 2025–26; preseason game results are shown separately. Ranks are within the league, with ties sharing a rank; a lower turnover rate is better. Season offensive rebound rate needs opponent defensive-rebound totals, which this feed does not supply. A dash means unavailable. This game’s offensive rebound rate uses the opponent’s actual rebounds.
How we read the Lab measures
eFG% gives a made three its extra value. Turnover rate estimates the share of plays lost before a shot. Offensive rebound rate is the share of available offensive rebounds collected. Free-throw pressure is FTA/FGA. The calculations are (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM)/FGA; TOV/(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV); OREB/(OREB + opponent DREB); and FTA/FGA.
THE LAB READHow this game can be won
This is preseason. Use the team numbers as background and watch how the new lineups play together. No spread or Lab win probability is published for this game.
San Antonio Spurs · our 2026-10-03 assessment
San Antonio Spurs
Last season 62-20 | 2nd in the West | Western champions, NBA Finals loss to New York
2025-26 efficiency 118.7 offense | 110.4 defense | +8.4 net per 100 possessions
San Antonio went from a developing team to a 62-win Western Conference champion, then lost the Finals to New York in five games. Its 118.7 offensive rating and 110.4 defensive rating show why the rise was credible. Victor Wembanyama changed both ends, and the guards supplied enough creation to make the team more than a collection of promising young players.
Brian Wright added Tobias Harris and retained the core, including an extension for Julian Champagnie. Harris gives the forward rotation another experienced scorer. The larger potential gains come from Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Castle's assists per 36 minutes increased from 5.5 to 8.9, while Harper's stronger playoff role supplied evidence that more responsibility can be productive.
The front office has chosen development as its main answer to the Finals defeat. That is a defensible choice, but it leaves the same important test. When opponents reduce easy rim chances, can the guards and Wembanyama create efficient shots without rushing the next possession? De'Aaron Fox's fit with a growing Harper also requires a clear closing lineup. Harris helps the rotation, but does not settle those decisions.
Projected finish is first in the West. The two-way baseline was already excellent, and the age of the core supports another step forward. We expect a close race with Oklahoma City rather than an automatic runaway. The playoff challenge is converting that progress into better late-game execution.
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Utah Jazz · our 2026-10-03 assessment
Utah Jazz
Last season 22-60 | 15th in the West | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 112.7 offense | 120.8 defense | -8.2 net per 100 possessions
Utah finished last in the West at 22-60, with a defense allowing 120.8 points per 100 possessions. Opponents took 45.1 percent of their shots from three, and 59 percent of those attempts were wide open. The Jazz need a substantial defensive improvement before their growing offensive talent can translate into a dependable winning team.
Darryn Peterson joins Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. Jackson arrived at the previous trade deadline but played only three games for Utah, so a healthy full season materially changes the baseline. The front office extended George and added Josh Green and Josh Okogie. Walker Kessler went to the Lakers, with Jusuf Nurkic and Jaxson Hayes among the remaining center options.
The roster's clearest unresolved issue is protecting the perimeter and the paint together. Jackson can cover mistakes, but trading Kessler removes a natural rim-protection partner. Nurkic's size and passing are useful without supplying the same defensive mobility. Peterson may be ready to score early, but a rookie guard cannot be credited with solving every creation and defensive problem before his first game.
Projected finish is seventh in the West. This is our largest improvement call, supported by a much stronger available core rather than an ordinary growth adjustment to a 22-win team. We see a Play-In contender with a credible offensive ceiling. Reaching the direct-playoff group would require defensive improvement that we have not yet priced into the forecast.
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