As I settle in to watch another NBA Opening Night, I can’t help but reflect on what makes these games so special. It’s not just the return of basketball after a long offseason—it’s the tone they set for the entire year. I’ve always felt that opening night gives us a raw, unfiltered look at team chemistry, new acquisitions, and the sheer will to win. And this season, with marquee matchups like the Lakers facing the Warriors and the Celtics taking on the Bucks, the stakes feel even higher. These aren’t just exhibition games; they’re statements. From my years covering the league, I’ve noticed that opening night outcomes often ripple through the season, influencing team morale and early narratives more than we tend to admit.
Take last year’s opening clash, for example. I remember watching the post-game interviews, and one quote from Coach Reyes stuck with me: "So that was key. And I think that’s why the difference became that way in the end. But it was a war. This game was a lot closer than the score shows in the end." That sentiment captures the essence of opening night perfectly. It’s not just about the final numbers on the scoreboard—like a 115-110 finish that might suggest a comfortable win, but in reality, it came down to a few critical possessions. I’ve seen games where a single defensive stop or a clutch three-pointer in the fourth quarter shifts the entire momentum, and Reyes’ words remind me that these contests are often decided by intangibles: resilience, adaptability, and that gritty, playoff-like intensity right out of the gate. Personally, I lean toward teams that excel in high-pressure moments, and I’ll be watching closely to see which squads can maintain composure when the game is on the line.
This season, I expect we’ll see similar battles, especially with key players returning from injuries and new superteams forming. For instance, the Warriors added a solid veteran in free agency, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they leverage that depth to control the pace early on. Statistically, opening night games over the past five years have averaged around 108 points per team, but I’ve noticed a trend toward tighter defenses in recent matchups—last season’s opener saw a combined 25 turnovers, which isn’t unusual when teams are shaking off rust. From my perspective, that’s what makes it exciting; the unpredictability keeps us on the edge of our seats. I’m particularly curious about how rookies will perform under the bright lights. In my experience, young players either thrive or crumble in these moments, and it can set the tone for their entire rookie campaign.
Looking ahead, I believe this opening night will highlight the evolving strategies in the NBA, like the increased emphasis on three-point shooting and transition defense. Teams that adapt quickly tend to start strong, and as a fan who’s always favored fast-paced, high-IQ basketball, I’m rooting for matchups that showcase smart plays over sheer athleticism. But let’s not forget the emotional aspect—players and coaches have been waiting months for this, and the energy in the arena is palpable, even through the screen. In the end, as Reyes implied, it’s the small battles within the war that define these games. So, as we gear up for tip-off, keep an eye on those clutch moments; they might just tell us everything we need to know about the season ahead.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
