NBA Atlantic Division Preview 2025-26

Jalen Brunson (Google Images)

In the first of a six part series leading up to the commencement of the 2025-26 NBA season, we will take a look at each division in the league. We will start with the Atlantic Division.

Big Storyline

The key story is in Boston as Jayson Tatum is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He suffered the injury in the fourth game of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the New York Knicks in last year’s NBA playoff. Without Tatum, the Knicks won the series in six games. The Knicks are also favoured to win their first Atlantic Division title in 12 years. New York’s offensive attack is led by Jalen Brunson, who averaged 26 points per game last season.

Most notable acquisitions

The Celtics acquired shooting guard Anfernee Simons in an offseason trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Last season Simons averaged 19.3 points per game. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, the Nets acquired small forward Michael Porter Jr. in a trade with the Denver Nuggets. Porter Jr. averaged 18.2 points per game.

Divisional Outlook

One question will be how improved the Toronto Raptors will be with the acquisition of Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline from the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram did not play down the stretch for the Raptors last season because of an ankle injury. The feeling is Toronto will be in third this season. Boston will still remain ahead of Toronto in second place, with the injury prone Philadelphia 76ers in fourth place and the Brooklyn Nets in fifth place.