Jimmy Butler led the Golden State Warriors to a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night while the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Houston Rockets on opening night.

P hiladelphia 76ers center and former NBA MVP Joel Embiid returned to action in the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday night. The Sixers won their final exhibition game 126-110 over the Minnesota Timberwolves, but most of the attention was on the result of Embiid’s return more so than the result of the game itself.

Houston's vaunted defense will keep Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check enough for him to finish Under his points prop.

Top pick Cooper Flagg got the start and played 28 minutes in Wednesday's preseason game between the Mavericks and Lakers.

The Phoenix Suns outscore the Lakers 33-17 in the third quarter and finish off Los Angeles for their third preseason win of 2025.