Three teams with dark horse attributes in the 2025-2026 season

To become a dark horse team, you need to have certain strength. In the long regular season mechanism of the NBA, it is still difficult to make the playoffs with luck. Winning depends on strength. The following three teams have the attributes of becoming dark horses, and some teams even have the ability to win.

1. Raptors

Team background

Since Xiaoka led the team to win the championship, the Raptors have been in a slump. Although they have accumulated a certain number of young talents in recent seasons, with some veterans Lowry leaving and Xiaojia retired, the team has officially entered the reconstruction period. Although the record was not good last season, young players such as Barnes and Dick still played good personal technical and tactical levels.

The confidence to become a dark horse

The rise of the four young core members of Barnes + Ingram + Dick + Barrett. The Barnes team's absolute core player averaged 19.3 points + 7.7 rebounds + 5.8 assists + 1.4 steals + 1 block last season. He has a comprehensive skill and an offense and defense, so injuries need to be avoided. Ingram sat on the bench due to injury most of last season, but he still averaged 22 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He is healthy and top striker in the league. Dick also gradually showed off his good skills last season, averaging 14.4 points per game, making him a good shooting guard. Barrett played his best season since joining the NBA last season, averaging 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game, and is also very skilled. Young and all three cores have the ability to have 20+5+5, and the future is extremely good.

Key X factors

Avoid injuries. Both Barnes and Ingram are very fragile. If they can stay healthy, the Raptors will definitely enter the playoffs and even go further.

2. The Eagles

team background

Trae Young leads the team to give people hope every season, but it never reaches the height it wants, and reaches the best season to reach the Eastern Conference finals. Trae Yang has obvious advantages and disadvantages, with few stable output points, more young players on the team and lack of experience in the game, so it takes time to practice. In addition, the team has obvious blood exchange, so it needs to be run-in between the game.

The confidence to become a dark horse

Trey Young + Porzingis + Kennard are responsible for the offense, Daniels + Walker are responsible for the defense, Jaylen Johnson is in one offense and defense, and has a comprehensive skill. Trae Young's team is undoubtedly the absolute core, averaging 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game, and the league's assists king. Porzingis has a top-level space-type inside player, averaging 19.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of up to 41.2%. Kennard's top scorer, averaging 8.9 points and 3.3 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of up to 43.3%, and an outside killer. Daniels and Walker averaged 3.6 steals per game, top outside defenders. Johnson averaged 18.9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1 block per game, and was very skilled.

The key X-factor

Wolf God and Johnson's glass properties can be avoided.

3, Suns

team background

formed the three luxury giants Durant + Booker + Bill but could not enter the playoffs. The team was strong in offense and defense, and the inside frame protection was even more messy. Fortunately, the team's lineup was significantly strengthened during the offseason, and the weak inside line was qualitatively strengthened. In the transaction of sending Durant away, they obtained young potential stocks and top 3D players. The lineup was relatively more balanced and younger.

The confidence to become a dark horse

Booker + Green + Brooks + Ma Wei, the lineup has balanced strength inside and outside, and the offense and defense are integrated. Although Booker has average ability to lead the team alone, he must have good supporters to reach the finals, and averages 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7 assists per game. In terms of data alone, Booker is one of the best shooting guards in the league. Although Green, although he was given up by the Rockets, his ability is unquestionable. He averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and is still a young player with unlimited potential. Brooks is a tough guy in the league, averaging 14 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of up to 40%. Ma Wei averaged 15.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.

The key X factor

Can Green let himself go after leaving Uduka? During the Rockets period, he was limited by his poor performance and would be pushed to the bench by the coach. This is an opportunity to prove himself. Mawei's health, healthy Mawei is definitely one of the top inside players in the league, with excellent finishing and frame protection abilities.