As the NBA unveiled its 2024-25 schedule on Thursday, everyone rushed to the obvious questions. How many back-to-back games does Team X play or how many nationally televised games does Team Y enjoy, but every year there are underrated games and storylines to follow on the schedule.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder on their way to becoming one of the best teams in the NBA, the odds are currently the favorites to win the Western Conference and are only behind the Boston Celtics for the NBA title. This has led to some obvious big games on the schedule, from matchups with other contenders to three games against the Spurs on national television to showcase the budding rivalry between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.
However, lost in the hubbub of the 82 games is one of the most interesting games on the schedule, which will take place on December 3 at the Paycom Center, when the Utah Jazz come to town to take on the OKC Thunder.
While on paper, from the outside, this game represents a projected tanker against a projected title-winning team, the plot runs deeper than the surface level.
Of course, an early date for the Jazz is about to look a lot different than the rain games after the All-Star break where Utah is poised to end the seasons of key contributors and turn its attention to Cooper Flagg highlights and lottery balls.
Still, even with Flagg on the line, December 3 is a little early to pack up for even the most daring of tankers – which Utah is not – allowing the Bricktown faithful to see players like Lauri Markkanen and company at full strength.
This match represents above all the first confrontation between Jalen Williams and Cody Williams in the NBA since the Colorado product was selected by the Jazz with the 10th pick of the 2024 NBA draft.
The duo made it clear how much this moment would mean to them and added an extra layer to the regular season and the added component of the NBA Cup.
Despite the projected records, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more meaningful matchup than the triple threat of this clash with Utah.
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