The NBA has officially released the schedule for the 2024-25 season, setting the stage for another thrilling year of basketball. While 80 of each team’s 82 games have been confirmed, the final two games will hinge on their performance in the NBA Cup’s group stage. The regular season kicks off on October 22 and runs through April 13, with the NBA Cup, All-Star Weekend, and a packed Christmas Day slate among the season’s highlights.
Opening Night and Early Season Highlights
Opening night on October 22 will feature two marquee matchups: the Boston Celtics will host their long-time rivals, the New York Knicks, at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET. These games will set the tone for a season filled with highly anticipated matchups and new storylines.
The NBA Cup group stage, previously known as the In-Season Tournament, will begin on November 12 and continue every Tuesday and Friday through December 3. The semifinals and championship game are scheduled for December 14 and December 17, respectively, adding a competitive edge to the early part of the season.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Klay Thompson’s Return to the Bay Area (Nov. 12): Klay Thompson will make his first appearance against the Golden State Warriors since joining a new team, as part of the NBA Cup group play. Expect an emotional homecoming for one of the Warriors’ all-time greats.
- NBA Finals Rematch (Jan. 25): The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will meet in a highly anticipated Finals rematch at TD Garden. With key players like Kristaps Porzingis and Klay Thompson now on board, this game promises to be one of the season’s most exciting matchups.
- Top Rookie Showdown (Oct. 28): The No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks from the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Starr, will face off for the first time, providing an early glimpse of the league’s future stars.
- Paul George’s Return to LA (Nov. 6): After joining the Philadelphia 76ers, Paul George will return to face his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, marking another emotional and must-watch encounter.
Christmas Day Extravaganza
Christmas Day will feature five marquee matchups, headlined by the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Golden State Warriors at 8 p.m. ET. Other games include the San Antonio Spurs facing the New York Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Dallas Mavericks, the Philadelphia 76ers at the Boston Celtics, and the Denver Nuggets versus the Phoenix Suns. Notably, this marks the first time in six years that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will not be part of the Christmas Day lineup.
Rivalry Week and Special Events
Rivalry Week returns for the third consecutive season, running from January 21-25. This week will feature 10 nationally televised games that showcase both classic and budding rivalries, including matchups like the New York Knicks versus the Brooklyn Nets, and the Boston parallel, Celtics versus the Lakers.
In addition to these highlights, fans can also look forward to key dates such as All-Star Weekend in San Francisco (Feb. 14-16), the NBA Paris Games on January 23 and 25, and the conclusion of the regular season on April 13, followed by the Play-In Tournament (April 15-18) and the NBA Playoffs starting on April 19.
This season is packed with exciting matchups, debut performances, and classic rivalries, making it one that NBA fans won’t want to miss.
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