2025-26 NBA Season Plagued by Teams Not Trying to Win

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Early Line Live

NBA Teams Not Striving To Win This Season

This NBA season has been marked by a significant issue with several teams not trying to win games. According to a tweet from ESPN Insights, this is the first season in NBA history where eight teams had a win percentage of .333 or worse. This scenario points to a larger problem within the league, suggesting a strategy where teams are essentially giving up.

The extent of the problem was highlighted by the extremely high point spreads towards the end of the season, with some games featuring spreads of 19 to 22 points. Such large spreads are uncommon and indicate games where competition is not only minimal but teams might actually be trying to lose. This phenomenon ended up affecting the quality of the competition significantly, leading to a frustrating experience for fans and commentators alike.

The situation culminated in games where both teams appeared to be competing for the best chance to lose, a scenario that tarnishes the sport's competitive integrity. This season has been a trying one for NBA fans, and the joy expressed by some at its conclusion underscores the depth of the issue. It's a season many are glad to have behind them, marking it as an era best forgotten in professional basketball history.