Week 8 of the 2025-26 NBA season is done and dusted so we’re looking into the notable moments with three big takeaways from the chaos.
Around The NBA
Steph Curry continues to defy Father Time for him to connect on 12 threes against the Portland Trail Blazers during the week. It’s the fifth time he’s hit at least 12 shots from behind the arc and it translated into 21 fourth-quarter points in this one. Still, it wasn’t enough for the Golden State Warriors to get the win.
The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t living up to expectations to start the NBA season. They’re 15-12 after losing five of their last eight games, and have just lost Evan Mobley for 2-4 weeks to injury. In some positive injury news around the league, Zion Williamson returned this week. He scored 18 points, including seven in the final four minutes, to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 114-104 win over the Chicago Bulls. The trade chatter had died down around Williamson – for now.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder added Jalen Williams to an already dominant team, they’re only human. Their franchise-record 16-game winning streak came to an end this week in their NBA Cup loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Nonetheless, Oklahoma City are still the benchmark of the NBA and $1.91 favorite to go on and win a second-consecutive title from here.
With the Thunder winning streak coming to an end, the New York Knicks are the winningest team in the NBA right now to have won five on the bounce. Their next comes with big bickies on the line against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup.
NBA Final Winner: Nuggets – $8, Rockets – $13, Knicks – $13, Cavaliers – $18, Lakers – $21, Spurs – $23
The Houston Rockets are making their move behind an improving combination between Kevin Durant and Alpren Sengun. Ime Udoka is unlocking the “deadly duo” as they learn to play together, moving the Rockets to 16-6 for 3rd in the Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets have quietly won four games in a row to be 18-6 for 2nd in the Western Conference. They aren’t rating much of a mention as championship contenders, but their play is doing the talking for now. As usual, Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP level while Jamal Murray is slowly getting back to his best.
Nikola Jokić, who leads this decade in total points, total rebounds, total assists, and total steals, now also leads in total wins (regular season + playoffs). pic.twitter.com/YnimnpK5Ns
— Crazy Stats (@NBAcrazystats) December 15, 2025
While the Cup game is sure to be a thriller as a standalone telecast, it will take a lot to beat the Los Angeles Lakers win over the Houston Rockets this week.
LeBron James is ageless and refuses to take a backwards step. He got into it with the always-chippy Dillon Brooks but had the last laugh, knocking down two free throws to win it before blocking Houston’s final shot.
Rookie Of The Year
Cooper Flagg entered the NBA season as the $1.43 favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award but is receiving tough competition from his former college teammate, Kon Knueppel. Knueppel didn’t even rate a mention within the first four lines of betting before the season tipped off.
Flagg has done enough to impress Kevin Durant and remain a $1.64 favourite by averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on a dire Dallas Mavericks roster.
“Just from watching his film, he’s finally figuring it out.” – Kevin Durant
The 18-year old been thrown in the deep end after only one year of college basketball.
Meanwhile, Knueppel’s 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists have caught the NBA world by surprise for him to be on the second line of betting at $2.55. Drafted 4th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, he’s made a seamless transition to the NBA by striking up a dangerous partnership with LaMelo Ball.
ROY Market: Queen – $9, Edgecome – $16, Coward – $23, Harper – $51, Fears – $51, Bailey – $151
MVP Narrative & The Damage To Shai’s Case
Whether voters want to admit it or not, narrative plays a massive part in the Most Valuable Player award. LeBron James would have 10 of them if it didn’t.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the numbers to be among the favorites to win it again this season ($2.10), he’s putting himself offside with the wider NBA public.
His antics go beyond basketball moves. Referees are falling for them, but fans at home are catching on.
You literally can’t guard sga . If he pushes off you it’s a no call if you play defense it’s a foul and if you contest a shot and he kicks his legs out it’s 2 shots lmao pic.twitter.com/BXnLu08PDC
— John (@iam_johnw) December 14, 2025
This will come into consideration for voters. Their votes are public, and if public sentiment is so far against Gilgeous-Alexander, they’ll think twice before putting their name to his. Perhaps they still do go with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, but numbers aren’t enough. Going back-to-back is hard enough without a negative public perception to contend with.
It worth exploring the rest of the market for value. If they’re given enough of a reason, voters will quickly pivot. Luka Doncic leading the Los Angeles Lakers up the Western Conference stands out as a value option.
MVP Market: Jokic – $3.10, Doncic – $4, Cunningham – $67, Wembanyama – $81, Maxey – $126
NBA Cup Championship
Victor Wembanyama only needed 21 minutes on the court to propel the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Cup semi final victory and into the championship game. His 15 points in the fourth quarter played a key role in handing the Oklahoma City Thunder a rare loss.
Jalen Brunson had a similar impact for his New York Knicks as they booked their spot to face the Spurs with a 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic. Brunson cleared 30 points for the fourth-straight game and finished with 40 in the standout performance.
The Championship game presents as a classic given the stark contrast of the two superstars. In Wembanyama, we have a physical freak, doing things nobody his size has ever been able to do so well. Meanwhile, Brunson has become a dying breed. Undersized by today’s standards, but always rises up when his team needs it.
The Knicks are early $1.70 and -2.5 favourites ahead of the NBA Cup Championship game, but as we saw in the semi finals, Wembanyama only needs a few minutes to turn a game on its head and in the Spurs’ favour.
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