The start of the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us, and with that, some exciting matchups.
We take you through the entire Eastern Conference and predict their line-ups.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks look to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals with their new and improved roster.
The starting lineup seems very self-explanatory with star Trae Young leading the way. Jalen Johnson will be back from injury, while recruit Porzingis will fit right in.
PG - Trae Young
SG - Dyson Daniels
SF - Zaccharie Risacher
PF - Jalen Johnson
C - Kirstaps Porzingis
Possible starters - Onyeka Okongwu.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have had some roster turnover this offseason, and expect to see three changes in the lineup. Star Jayson Tatum won't be there to start the season, and they traded away Porzingis and Holiday.
PG - Derrick White
SG - Anfernee Simons
SF - Jaylen Brown
PF - Chris Boucher
C - Neemis Queta
Possible starters - Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are a young team with a new starting five from last season. Expect to see recruit Michael Porter Jr fit right in, while the number eight pick, Egor Demin, is expected to start, predicting he will be ready from injury.
PG - Egor Demin
SG - Cam Thomas
SF - Terance Mann
PF - Michael Porter Jr
C - Nic Claxton
Possible starters - Nolan Traore, Ziaire Williams
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets will have a similar lineup to when they were healthy. Lamelo Ball will lead this lineup with former number two pick Brandon Miller coming back.
The centre position is up for grabs, especially with seven-foot rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner turning heads in pre-season.
PG - Lamelo Ball
SG - Collin Sexton
SF - Brandon Miller
PF - Miles Bridges
C - Moussa Diabate
Possible starters - Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kalkbrenner
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls seem to have a very solidified roster. Hometown player Matas Buzelis will be a certain starter after finishing last season with 31 starts.
It is unclear who will start at small forward, but Huerter is expected due to his shooting. Coby White is also currently dealing with a calf injury, which could see him miss the opener.
PG - Josh Giddey
SG - Coby White
SF - Kevin Huerter
PF - Matas Buzelis
C - Nikola Vucevic
Possible starters - Isaac Okoro, Ayo Dosunmu.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The reigning top seed of the East will go into the season with a similar starting lineup. Garland may miss the start of the season with an injury, which will most likely see Lonzo Ball take his place. While Hunter will start with Max Struss being sidelined.
PG - Darius Garland
SG - Donovan Mitchell
SF - DeAndre Hunter
PF - Evan Mobley
C - Jarrett Allen
Possible starters - Lonzo Ball
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have a certain starting lineup, which is only going to see one change from their playoff starting lineup. Jaden Ivey is set to return from his injury, which will be the only change.
PG - Cade Cunningham
SG - Jaden Ivey
SF - Ausar Thompson
PF - Tobias Harris
C - Jalen Duren
Possible starters - N/A
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers will have some changes after star Tyrese Haliburton is out due to injury. Myles Turner, who has been the starting centre for 10 years, is now gone. These absences will see two changes made.
PG - Andrew Nembhard
SG - Bennedict Mathurin
SF - Aaron Nesmith
PF - Pascal Siakam
C - Isaiah Jackson
Possible starters - Jay Huff
Miami Heat
All-Star Tyler Herro won't be available to start the season, but recruit Powell will slide right into his place. Jovic seems to have won the starting battle over Ware. Expect Davion Mitchell to keep his starting role as well.
PG - Davion Mitchell
SG - Norman Powell
SF - Andrew Wiggins
PF - Nikola Jovic
C - Bam Adebayo
Possible starters - Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks will look very different to what they have in the past. New signing Myles Turner will fit right next to Giannis in the frontcourt. Some positions are up for grabs, but expect this to be the lineup that starts the season.
PG - Kevin Porter Jr
SG - Gary Trent Jr
SF - Kyle Kuzma
PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo
C - Myles Turner
Possible starters - Ryan Rollins
New York Knicks
The Knicks seem like they will start the season with a lineup that they had in the playoffs when Mitchell Robinson was healthy. New head coach Mike Brown is expected to bring Josh Hart off the bench and slide Towns to the four.
PG - Jalen Brunson
SG - Mikal Bridges
SF - OG Anunoby
PF - Karl-Anthony Towns
C - Mitchell Robinson
Possible starters - Josh Hart
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic starting lineup is just about locked in. Recruit Desmond Bane will fit right into a guard spot. They may be forced to start Jones to begin the season with questions on Suggs' health.
PG - Jalen Suggs
SG - Desmond Bane
SF - Franz Wagner
PF - Paolo Banchero
C - Wendell Carter Jr
Possible starters - Goga Bitadze, Tyus Jones
Philadelphia 76ers
This starting lineup may be very different to what it could be due to some injuries. Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are expected to start, but it is unclear if they will be ready to begin the season. Expect Oubre and Bona to be their replacements if so.
PG - Tyrese Maxey
SG - VJ Edgecombe
SF - Quentin Grimes
PF - Paul George
C - Joel Embiid
Possible starters - Adem Bona, Kelly Oubre
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors will look to finally have a healthy starting lineup after some bumps last season. Expect Ingram to jump into the starting lineup after not playing for them last season. Gradey Dick seems the only option that could potentially steal a spot from someone, but it is unlikely.
PG - Immanuel Quickley
SG - RJ Barrett
SF - Brandon Ingram
PF - Scottie Barnes
C - Jakob Poeltl
Possible starters - Gradey Dick
Washington Wizards
The Wizards will be focusing on developing to start the season, but expect some new veterans to start. The only unclear positions seem to be who will start at the forward positions, with Kyshawn George pushing to be in the lineup.
PG - Bub Carrington
SG - CJ McCollum
SF - Khris Middleton
PF - Bilal Coulibaly
C - Alex Sarr
Possible starters - Kyshawn George
