As the NBA embarks on the 2024-25 season, the iconic NBA on TNT broadcast is set to begin what might be its final slate of games. TNT, which has been a staple in NBA coverage for 35 years, will kick off the season with two marquee matchups: the New York Knicks vs. the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on Opening Night.
SAVE THE DATE! đź“…
The 2024-25 regular season tips off on Tuesday, October 22. #KiaTipOff24
Check out the National TV Schedule for opening week 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/sBhHJiECq6
— NBA (@NBA) August 15, 2024
Key Highlights:
- Opening Night Doubleheader: TNT will broadcast the season’s first two games on October 23, featuring the Knicks at Celtics, followed by the Timberwolves at Lakers.
- Star-Studded Matchups: Fans can look forward to early-season showdowns like the San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks, featuring European stars Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić, and a clash between MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning champion Nikola Jokić’s Denver Nuggets.
- NBA Finals Rematch: On February 6, TNT will air a rematch of the NBA Finals, with the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Boston Celtics.
- NBA Cup and Rivalry Games: The TNT slate will also include several key NBA Cup games and interconference rivalries throughout the season.
A Bittersweet Season:
This season could be the last for NBA on TNT, as the network was not included in the NBA’s new media rights deal. Announced in July, the deal renewed contracts with ESPN and added new agreements with NBC and Amazon Prime, while leaving TNT out of the mix. TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has vowed to challenge this decision, citing contractual stipulations that they believe should have allowed them to match Amazon’s offer.
The End of an Era?
With this new media deal set to last for the next 11 seasons, starting in 2025, TNT’s exclusion might also signal the end of the beloved Inside the NBA show, known for its lively analysis and personalities like Charles Barkley. Barkley, who has been a prominent figure on the show, expressed doubts about TNT’s chances of retaining NBA rights, stating, “I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance.”
Looking Ahead:
As fans prepare to enjoy what might be NBA on TNT’s farewell season, the uncertainty surrounding the network’s future adds an emotional layer to the season. Despite the looming changes, TNT’s final season promises to deliver the high-quality NBA coverage and memorable moments that fans have come to love over the past three decades.
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