NBA Week 7 Watch Guide: The Thunder Roll, Lakers vs Celtics and Detroit's Shocking Rise
The Week Ahead: Pistons Surprise & Thunder Dominance.
The sample size is no longer small. As we enter December, the NBA hierarchy has been upended. The story of the season is undeniably in Detroit, while out West, Oklahoma City looks nearly unbeatable.
Here is your "Must-Watch" guide for the week of December 1st, 2025.
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Monday, Dec. 1
Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV: Peacock
The headline is the return of the King. After missing the game with a lingering foot injury, LeBron James is expected to suit up for just his fifth appearance of the season.
The Disparity: Usage Dominance. In James' absence, Luka Dončić has carried an immense load, currently leading the entire NBA with a 36.9% Usage Rate and 35.1 PPG. He is flanked by Austin Reaves (28.8 PPG), who has been the league's most efficient secondary scorer. As LeBron integrates back into the lineup, the Suns face a pick-your-poison scenario: double the high-usage Luka, or leave Reaves and a fresh LeBron open on the perimeter?
Why Watch: The reintegration. The Lakers have the league's most efficient half-court offense generated by Dončić's playmaking. Watching LeBron operate as a hyper-efficient connector (averaging 8.3 APG in his limited action) alongside Luka is the season's most fascinating experiment.
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 2
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NBC / Peacock
This Atlantic Division clash has turned into a battle of attrition. Panic is setting in for Boston as they struggle without Jayson Tatum, but the Knicks face their own major hurdle with defensive ace OG Anunoby ruled out for this matchup.
The Stat: 35.6% Usage Rate. With Tatum out, Jaylen Brown has taken complete control of the Celtics' offense, posting a usage rate that ranks 2nd in the NBA. The Knicks are blowing teams out, boasting the best point differential in the East, but their defense will be tested by Brown's sheer volume.
Injury Update: While Tatum remains out, there is a glimmer of hope for Boston: Derrick White and center Neemias Queta are listed as questionable and could make their returns. Their presence would provide massive relief for a Celtics defense that has been thin on rotation players.
Why Watch: The Jaylen Brown workload. With Anunoby sidelined, the Knicks lose the one defender capable of matching Brown's physicality. Expect Brown to take 25+ shots as he tries to single-handedly match New York's firepower.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 2
Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco
TV: NBC / Peacock
The Thunder are the story of the league. They are on a historically dominant pace, currently riding an 12-game winning streak. The Warriors are hovering around the middle of the pack, trying to tread water until Steph Curry returns.
The Mismatch: +15.5 Point Differential. OKC isn't just winning; they are destroying opponents by double digits nightly. They lead the league in scoring (122.2 PPG), overwhelming teams with depth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.5 PPG) is the MVP frontrunner and remains the league's most efficient guard in the paint.
Why Watch: The defensive test. The Warriors have been strong at home this season despite their struggles. Jimmy Butler’s grit is the exact type of physical, disruptive force that could muddy up OKC’s pristine flow.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston
TV: Prime Video
A Historic Rivalry, renewed. A tale of two trajectories. The Lakers are soaring, while the Celtics are searching for answers. However, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James walking into TD Garden is the ultimate "get right" opportunity for Boston.
Key Factor: The Efficiency Gap. This is a battle of philosophies. The Celtics continue to launch threes at a historic rate (averaging over 43 attempts per game). The Lakers, meanwhile, rely on the league's most efficient half-court offense generated by Dončić's playmaking. Without many scoring options, Boston cannot afford to trade empty possessions for Lakers layups.
Why Watch: The atmosphere, the rivalry, the epic showdown. This is the only time the Lakers visit Boston this season. If Boston falls behind early, the Garden faithful will let them hear it. If they keep it close, the playoff intensity will activate.
Miami Heat at Orlando Magic
Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando
TV: Local / League Pass
This is a battle for positioning in the crowded middle of the East. With Paolo Banchero sidelined due to injury, the spotlight shifts to how Orlando compensates against Miami's defense.
The Stat: 23.3 PPG Without Paolo. In Banchero's absence, Franz Wagner has elevated his game to near All-Star levels, averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists over his last 8 contests. He faces his toughest test yet against Bam Adebayo, who anchors a Heat defense which has a defensive rating of 110.9, which is #3 in the league.
Why Watch: The Pace. Miami is playing at the fastest pace in the league at 105.48 pace; Orlando wants to slow it down a bit (100.37 pace) and feed Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane in the half-court. Whichever team dictates the tempo wins.
Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV: NBA TV / Local
The biggest shock of the 2025-26 season: The Detroit Pistons are the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Bucks are reeling, currently sitting 11th in the East and outside the play-in picture.
The Narrative Flip: The Pistons have one of the best defenses in the East and have won 8 of their last 10 games. Cade Cunningham has taken the leap to superstardom. The Bucks are struggling to get stops and are relying entirely on Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG) to save them every night.
Why Watch: To see if it's real. A win against Giannis would legitimize Detroit’s status as the new Kings of the Central Division. If the Bucks lose, expect the trade rumors in Milwaukee to reach a fever pitch.
