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The NBA schedule release is one of the most exciting moments of the offseason, as it comes at the absolute pinnacle of the dog days of summer.
By Will Glover | August 15, 2024
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE - Getty Images
Ladies and Gents! The wait for the upcoming NBA season is nearing its end with the release of the highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA schedule. Fans, like myself, across the globe are already circling key dates on their calendars as they prepare for another thrilling season of basketball. This year’s schedule promises a blend of must-see matchups, classic rivalries rekindled, and box office bests that will shape the narrative of the season. From the opening night showdown in Midtown Manhattan to an unforgettable Christmas Day clash at The Bay, this schedule is packed with high-stakes games that are set to be defining moments for teams and players alike. Whether it's the rematch of last season’s finals, the battles between emerging powerhouses, or the emotional returns of legendary players to their former arenas, the 2024-25 season is poised to deliver drama and excitement from start to finish. As the countdown to tip-off begins, let’s dive into some of the key games that every basketball fan should tune into!
Opening Night Ring Ceremony
New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
Photo by Brian Fluharty - USA TODAY Sports
TD Garden - Boston, MA
October 22, 7:30 PM ET - TNT
The defending champs will be hosting their biggest Eastern Conference rival in the New York Knicks for Opening Night and Championship Ring Ceremony. If you recall last season, the Knicks fell one game short of facing the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks will hopefully start the season with a fully healthy roster that includes their star big man, Julius Randle. While the Knicks will get Randle back, they will surely be missing the impact that Isaiah Hartenstein brought to the court night in and night out.
Opening Night New Era
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Clippers
Intuit Dome - Inglewood, CA
October 23, 10:00 PM - ESPN
It's a new era in Inglewood! New logo, new jerseys, new arena, new city, same name??? Oh well. October 23rd will be the first night the Clippers get to play in an arena of their own. The $2 billion Intuit Dome will host just under 18,000 fans a night and feature "The Wall", a brand new section that forbids opposing fans from stepping foot in the area... I'm sure a Laker fan will find their way in there each night no matter who is playing.
Dallas Introduces Klay
San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks
American Airlines Center - Dallas, TX
October 24, 7:30 PM - TNT
The Mavericks made one of the bigger moves in the offseason by adding Warriors legend Klay Thompson. Coming off a brutal Finals showing, Luka, Kyrie, and the Mavs look to fix the issues that arose in the Finals. As for the Spurs... they have Victor Wembanyama who is coming off a Rookie of the Year and 2nd place Olympic finish, looking to pick up right where he left off. The Spurs will also introduce Chris Paul, Stephon Castle, and Harrison Barnes to the mix, seeking their first playoff appearance since 2019.
Western Conference Finals Rematch
Dallas Mavericks @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Photo by Tim Heitman - Getty Images
Target Center - Minneapolis, MN
October 29, 7:30 PM - TNT
In this early season matchup, we will get to see the West favorites (in my opinion) Minnesota Timberwolves rematch the Dallas Mavericks. Both Luka and Ant will be trying to make their case for MVP. I still firmly believe that the Wolves would've matched up better against Boston, just ran out of gas. Anyways, a top-ranked defense versus a top-ranked offense will always be a great watch in the early season.
Eastern Conference Finals Rematch
Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers
Gainbridge Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
October 30, 7:00 PM - ESPN
This matchup in the Conference Finals was absolutely brutal for Indiana last season. Boston looks to continue that dominance over Indiana. Don't sleep on Indiana's big 3 though... they finally get an offseason and preseason to gel and get to know each other's style on the court more effectively. The Pacers will continue to grow throughout the season and I believe that this matchup will be seen again in the playoffs... and it will be much closer this time around.
Rivalry Reborn
San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK
October 30, 9:30 PM - ESPN
As a Spurs fan... I am LOVING all the nationally televised games this season. The Spurs get another one early on as they face off against Chet Holmgren and the OKC Thunder. The Wemby vs. Chet matchup last year proved to be an exciting one even though the Spurs lost the season series 1-3 by an average score of over 30 points per loss... besides that though, it was a good one. The Spurs adding CP3 and company along with their new rookies will give Wemby, Vassell, and Sochan that extra help they need to be competitive.
Mexico City Game
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards
Arena CDMX - Mexico City, MX
November 2, 9:30 PM - NBA TV
The NBA is attempting to go global. I love the idea. Unfortunately... they picked a miserable matchup to represent the NBA in Mexico this season. The game itself will probably be a bad brand of basketball that showcases 5/30 splits from Poole and Kuzma and a Miami blowout. Still a fun concept, hopefully, the presentation makes the game worth watching.
Paul George Homecoming
Philadelphia 76ers @ Los Angeles Clippers
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE - Getty Images
Intuit Dome - Inglewood, CA
November 6, 10:00 PM - ESPN
The Paul George Clippers saga seems to continue even after his departure from Los Angeles. George has publicly bashed the Clippers several times in the last few months, calling the Clippers the "B-team of Los Angeles" (true) and expressing his displeasure with how contract negotiations went down. This is coming after several years of broken promises from George... so... we'll see how this one plays out. I am praying "The Wall" shows out and boos the hell of out George every time he touches the ball... give him the LeBron treatment.
Klay Thompson Returns to The Bay
Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors
TD Garden - Boston, MA
November 12, 10:00 PM - League Pass
This game has a few significant events going on. First, this is Klay's return to the Bay which, unlike PG's return, should be a pleasant one. After spending his first 11 seasons with the Warriors, winning 4 championships, and establishing himself as the 2nd greatest shooter in the league's history, Klay will officially move on from Golden State and Steph Curry. His "Thank You Tribute" better be a damn good one. Oh, and the other thing is that this is the first (close enough) Emirates NBA Cup placement game ever. This marks a new era of exciting midseason action that should bring in more and more fans as the year's progress.
LeBron x Wemby Emirates NBA Cup Matchup
Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs
Frost Bank Center - San Antonio, TX
November 15, 7:30 PM - ESPN
Being LeBron and the Spurs' biggest fan, it's only right for me to include what could be the first and last time LeBron and Wemby face off in a somewhat meaningful game. Last season, the Lakers and Spurs were in different divisions for the In-Season Tournament, rendering it impossible for us to see what a LeBron vs. Wemby matchup could look like when the stakes are higher. The Spurs will host the defending In-Season Tournament Champs, looking to make a name for themselves in the process. This matchup will be one of my personal favorite matchups for this season.
Potential 2025 ECF Matchup
Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics
TD Garden - Boston, MA
December 6, 7:30 PM - ESPN
It's hard for me to imagine a healthy Bucks team that features Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard won't make a significant playoff push. With that being said, the Bucks and Celtics will play meaningful games in April and May against each other. December 6th will be the third preview of four games these two teams will have played against each other and I believe that this 3rd game will be the most important of the four regular-season games because game 3 is where the strategy begins. Stay tuned, this game will be a regular-season classic. (Don't come back to this game if all goes wrong for either team)
Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals and Championship
TBD
Photo by NBAE - Getty Images
T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas, NV
December 14 + 17 - TBD
The first annual NBA Cup Semifinals and Championship in Las Vegas will be an awesome break for most players and a treat for NBA fans. There isn't much to talk about here since we don't know the matchups, but rest assured whoever comes out on top will be a great watch... plus it's in Vegas... what can go wrong?
Top Picks of the 2022 NBA Draft Square Off
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Orlando Magic
Kia Center - Orlando, FL
December 19, 7:00 PM - TNT
Finally a notable Orlando Magic primetime game... took em almost a decade it feels like (they had 1 last season). This matchup features probably the most underrated star in the game, Paolo Banchero, and, again, Chet Holmgren. This Magic team is coming off a great season and underwhelming playoff push. It will be interesting to see how the two 2022 picks match up and how SGA does against Orlando's defensive-minded backcourt.
Wembanyama Sojourns MSG on Christmas Day
San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
December 25, 12:00 PM - ESPN
Again, more Spurs, less complaints from me. I AM LOVING IT! If you can recall in the last matchup between these two teams, we saw a 61-point outburst from Jalen Brunson and a 40/20 game from Wembanyama in a 130-126 Spurs overtime victory. History likes to repeat itself, so why not in Midtown Manhattan on Christmas Day? If this Christmas meeting is anything like their last meeting, get prepared for an all-time classic.
Battle for the Crown of California
Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors
Photo by Ezra Shaw - Getty Images
Chase Center - San Francisco, CA
December 25, 8:00 PM - ABC + ESPN
I came up with the name myself, you like? Anyways, here is another Christmas Night matchup between Team USA legends, LeBron James and Steph Curry. This game will be just another reminder that we will never see these two suit up for the same team again, and while the game itself will be a fun one to watch, you will always know in the back of your mind that it's nearing the end. Enjoy it while it lasts, fellas... it'll be gone sooner than you know it.
LeBron's First Game at 40 Years Old
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA
December 31, 9:00 PM - League Pass
Here is the only game on my list that isn't nationally televised. If you have League Pass, you will not want to miss this game. LeBron will turn 40 on December 30th and coincidentally will play his first game as a 40-year-old against the team that he built, broke, and rebuilt, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The scriptwriters were cooking with this one, too bad the game isn't taking place in Cleveland. Regardless, it will be fun to watch a 40-year-old dominate a young man's game. Again... enjoy it now, cause we don't have much longer (maybe?)
(original tweet not used because of profanity)
Potential 2025 NBA Finals Matchup
Boston Celtics @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Target Center - Minneapolis, MN
January 2, 7:30 PM - TNT
There aren't many of these; however, I felt that this Celtics Timberwolves matchup could be a good indicator of what to see in June. With perhaps the two deepest teams in the league, these two, led by their stars, display the perfect balance of offense, defense, and IQ. This one will be a fun one to welcome in the New Year.
Historic Rivals and Potential Playoff Matchup
New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers
Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
January 15, 7:30 PM - ESPN
Another potential fun playoff matchup preview between two bitter rivals. There isn't much going on between the 2nd and our next matchup on the 23rd, so this one bodes well for the soul in the interim. Brunson will have 50 and Embiid will either be injured or have 60... Having PG on the court (maybe) will be interesting tho. We will see how Thibs plans to stop Embiid, PG, and Maxey together.
The Celtics Head to LA
Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA
January 23, 10:00 PM - TNT
No... I am not calling the Staples Center any other name. You shouldn't either, honestly. Anyways, Boston will be traveling to play LeBron, AD, and the Lakers who will probably have some washed player traded to them by this time. Any LeBron vs. Boston game is entertaining though. In James' 100 career games against Boston, postseason included, he averages 29 PPG, 8 RPG, and 7 APG on 50/32/72 splits including 58% True Shooting. Should be a fun watch!
Paris Olympics Rematch? (NBA Paris Games)
Indiana Pacers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Accor Arena - Paris, FR
January 23, 2:00 PM - NBA TV
January 25, 12:00 PM - ESPN
There are actually two games being played between the Spurs and Pacers in France this season! A part of the NBA Global initiative, this series played in France will feature Olympic gold medalist Tyrese Haliburton and Olympic silver medalist Victor Wembanyama. There really isn't any history between the two teams besides that... as a Spurs fan, if I had to choose an Eastern Conference team to root for, it would be the Pacers (see? no hate here). It will be fun to watch the young Spurs take on the growing Pacers though. Plus it's in Paris, so you can expect the NBA to put on a good presentation.
2024 NBA Finals Rematch
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Photo by Sam Hodde - AP
American Airlines Center - Dallas, TX
January 25, 5:30 PM - TNT
It's truly a shame the first game between these two since the Finals won't be played in Boston. Regardless, it will be a great watch as we see the new-look Mavericks take on the defending champs. By this time we will have seen how Klay fits into the Mavs system and will see if this Mavs team is legit or not. The Celtics will be as dominant as ever... nothing new there. Boston by 20.
Ja vs. Giannis
Memphis Grizzlies @ Milwaukee Bucks
Fiserv Forum - Milwaukee, WI
February 2, 8:30 PM - ESPN
I don't know honestly... just have a feeling that this game has some importance somehow. Maybe the Bucks and/or Grizzlies have landed a major player that will boost their championship odds? I don't know though. Just felt the need to feature Ja Morant somehow. Felt wrong to not include him.
2025 NBA All-Star Game
East @ West?
Chase Center - San Francisco, CA
February 16, TBD - TBD
Another boring All-Star Game. Nothing to see here. The NBA needs to do something about All-Star Weekend because it really sucks right now. Wemby will win ASG MVP.
Kevin Durant Returns to UT
Phoenix Suns @ San Antonio Spurs
Photo by Texas Men's Basketball - X @TexasMBB
Moody Center - Austin, TX
February 20, 9:30 PM - TNT
The last major regular season game featured on my list and probably one of the cooler games of the regular season. This will be the first time Kevin Durant has played a competitive basketball game in Austin, Texas since February 28th, 2007, a 98-96 University of Texas victory over the Texas A&M Aggies (the linked clip isn't the same day sorry). For those who are wondering why this game is being played at the Moody Center in Austin let me help you out. For over 20 years, the city of San Antonio has participated in hosting a major Rodeo at the Frost Bank Center, essentially kicking the Spurs out of their home from early February to the end of the month. With the opening of the Moody Center a few years ago, the Spurs and the University of Texas have agreed to host a few games in Austin during the trip. So the fact that Kevin Durant will have a chance to play a meaningful game at his Alma Mater will be nothing but amazing, especially at age 36.
The rest of the games are in the flex for nationally televised games one can assume. Once March comes around, playoff seeding becomes crucial, and different games that may seem unimportant now might have greater meaning later. Let me know if I missed any games that catch your eye! You can follow me @wglvr on Instagram, @rwglvr on X, and of course @tybsports on all platforms! Stay tuned as the MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and NBA seasons continue/begin!