Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

The Warriors were a big winner Tuesday night as they got their 2022 NBA championship rings then kicked off a new season with a rout of the Lakers.

USA TODAY Sports’ predictions for the 2022-23 NBA season — from conference finalists to NBA champion to individual awards.

The Golden State Warriors will face challenges from all sides in their quest to repeat as NBA promises most competitive season since at least 2015.

Denver’s Jamal Murray and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson are among five players whose returns could change the trajectory of their teams.

There could be a third consecutive international player holding the award -Joel Embiid or Luka Doncic – after Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.

The season opens Oct. 18 with two games (Philadelphia-Boston, Warriors-Lakers), and the remaining teams begin play on Oct. 19-20.

It was vicious, unnecessary and unprofessional, and Draymond Green is lucky he didn’t cause a significant injury to his teammate.

Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson squared off in two games this week, building more buzz. These six NBA teams have the best shot at drafting them.

Met 92 star Victor Wembanyama described Wednesday’s game against Scoot Henderson and the G League Ignite as “the biggest game I’ve played in my life.”