12 Spooky NBA Stories of the New Season for Halloween

• Get NBA League Pass TODAY >

The first few weeks of every NBA season coincide with Halloween, which is fitting because a season’s initial and unexpected events tend to throw everyone into varying degrees of shock.

Suddenly, some of these preseason projections seem desirable, and the ordinary becomes strange. It’s downright terrifying how these always happen around this time, even though eventually common sense and common sense prevail, the costumes are removed and the season moves on.

Here are a handful of strange occurrences, moments and trends that are cutting up the early schedule as October draws to a close:

---

Curry’s ankle scare

A sprain causes Stephen Curry to cool it for a few games. Of course, that’s very scary given the history — before winning championships and Kia MVPs, he had to overcome chronic ankle sprains that threatened his career. Oddly enough, the earlier ankle sprains developed a silver lining and helped him and the Warriors win titles. His first contract extension was team-friendly because of the injury uncertainty, and the money available allowed the Warriors to sign Andre Iguodala. The rest is, well, history.

---

They don’t boo you, Zubac

They’re chanting “Zuuuu” inside the Intuit Dome because Ivica Zubac is off to the best start, and maybe week, of his career. The LA Clippers center has been dominant near the hoop. Through Thursday, he is averaging 18.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. The score is the biggest surprise. Shout out to James Harden who finds him on the screen and rolls.

Foot the BIG FELLA pic.twitter.com/WoZDJ6nUSH

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) 29 October 2024

---

Westbrook is a ghost of his former self

We hate to write these words to describe a former Kia MVP and future Hall of Famer. Still, the early returns on Russell Westbrook in Denver are not favorable. He’s shooting 27% overall, 25% on 3-pointers and defenses give him plenty of room as his inability to spread the floor again causes some pain. To be fair, Westbrook was not signed for his shooting. The Nuggets need his play, passing and defense to compensate. In this regard, he will manage.

---

LaVine fooled you

Anyone who thought he was washed up should take a second look. Yes, small sample size and all, but Zach LaVine is not who you thought he was. Efficient and aggressive right out of the gate, LaVine looks dangerous (43.6% on 3-pointers) and a far cry from the injury-plagued player of the past few seasons. Does that mean he’s a goaltender for the rebuilding Bulls? Or is he simply increasing his trade value months before the deadline?

---

The Celtics serve candy

As a team, the Celtics have shot 40.7% on 3-pointers while sprinting to a 4-1 start. That’s a sweet rate of efficiency that obviously doesn’t hold up over the course of the season. But it still gives the rest of the NBA chills as it shows the depth of shooters on the richest roster in the NBA. (Payton Pritchard just hit another 3 as you read this.)

---

Does the halo still fit the Haliburton?

Through the first months of last season, Tyrese Haliburton was the discovery of the league. Through the first few games this season, he’s largely invisible in comparison as he struggles with his shot (he went 0-for-8 vs. the Knicks) while the Pacers look elsewhere for buckets. There is plenty of time for Haliburton to push the Pacers again through the In-Season Tournament, but this start looks suspect.

---

There’s someone at the door – Cam

Cam Thomas is the leading option for a Nets team that cycled through Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving in that role the last few seasons. Who knew? Thomas opened the season with 36 points and seems to fit that role. The real test is what that means for Brooklyn as it tries to find an identity under coach Jordi Fernandez.

---

Reaves has things in his bag

Is it a bit to wonder if the Lakers have a big three? Maybe not if Austin Reaves continues at this pace. He’s efficient and productive with the ball (16.8 ppg on 52.5% shooting), makes good decisions and gets the green light and respect of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who have no problem finding him in clutch moments. First-year coach JJ Redick is also running several plays for the Reaves.

---

Shall we throw eggs at the Bucks’ house?

It’s probably too early to take aim, and these early games from good teams tend to tease people. That said, the Bucks can’t afford to stumble much longer, not after what they went through last season. In particular, the chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard bears watching. If they’re not on the same page, it spells doom for a team with too many aging parts and not enough talent going forward.

---

No. Oct. 31 for Embiid and George

Make no mistake, this is drama No. 1 in a season that began without Joel Embiid and Paul George, both of whom were rested in Philly due to knee issues. Their injuries are not marked as serious, but still. Embiid played most of the summer for Team USA – should he have skipped the Olympics instead? George suffered a preseason injury and is still awaiting his Sixers debut. They are important pieces for a team that could lose valuable ground in the standings until they return.

---

OKC doesn’t open the door to anyone

Only two teams are allowing less than 100 points a night, and one of them is the Thunder. Oklahoma City is showing some serious defensive vibes that could be a season-long advantage. Strengthening the defense was the primary goal for 2024-25, and OKC added Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason. But the defense has been primarily improved by holdovers, especially Chet Holmgren, who leads the NBA in blocks per game. game (3.5 bpg). It’s terrifying.

---

Buddy Hield carries a bucket

Do the Warriors have a better shooter than Klay Thompson was last season? Buddy Hield, the designated reliever added in the offseason, is that guy. Through his first four games with Golden State, Hield is averaging 21.2 ppg (while shooting 50% from deep). He scored 22 points with five 3-pointers in 15 minutes in the opener, then 27 points with seven 3-pointers in 20 minutes next against Utah. With Curry out for an unspecified stretch, Hield and his shooting become even more important.

***