The NBA schedule for 2024-25 has been unveiled. Which debuts, star showdowns, reunions and playoff rematches are we most excited to look at?
Loads of stars will don new jerseys subsequent season — most notably Klay Thompson with the Dallas Mavericks, Paul George with the Philadelphia 76ers, Mikal Bridges with the New York Knicks and DeMar DeRozan with the Sacramento Kings — establishing some must-see reunions.
Prime rookies will face off, led by No. 1 choose Zaccharie Risacher vs. No. 2 choose Alex Sarrin October and Donovan Clingan vs. Zach Edey in a rematch of the 2024 NCAA title recreation in November.
Reigning Rookie of the Yr Victor Wembanyama will look to take the following step in his ascension to NBA superstardom, whereas 39-year-old LeBron James, recent off a gold medal in Paris, will embark on his record-tying twenty second season within the league.
These are simply a number of the storylines we will not wait to look at play out in 2024-25. ESPN’s NBA insiders break down probably the most anticipated video games of the upcoming season, together with when to look at Wemby, each massive revenge recreation, the five-game Christmas Day slate and key matchups inside each Los Angeles arenas.
Leap to:
NBA schedule FAQs|Star-studded openers
Should-see reunions |Playoff rematches
Christmas showdowns|LeBron’s greatest video games
Huge-time matchups| Schedule for all 30 groups
NBA schedule FAQs
When does the NBA preseason start?
The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggetsstart coaching camp on Sept. 24 forward of two preseason video games in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 4 and 6. The remainder of the groups begin coaching camp Oct. 1 with preseason video games operating from Oct. 4 to Oct. 18.
When is NBA opening evening?
The NBA common season begins Oct. 22 with the Celtics internet hosting the New York Knicks, adopted by the Minnesota Timberwolveson the Los Angeles Lakers. All different groups start their campaigns Oct. 23.
When is the Emirates NBA Cup, also referred to as the in-season match?
The second version of the match sees all 30 NBA groups drawn into six teams of 5. Every workforce will play its opponents as soon as, with group stage video games on 4 Tuesdays (Nov. 12, 19 and 26 and Dec. 3) and three Fridays (Nov. 15, 22 and 29). The knockout levels start with the quarterfinals Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. The semifinals (Dec. 14) and the championship recreation (Dec. 17) can be held in Las Vegas.
What’s the NBA Christmas video games schedule?
There can be 5 video games Dec. 25:
When and the place is the NBA All-Star Sport?
The NBA All-Star Sport can be Feb. 16 at Chase Heart in San Francisco, house of the Golden State Warriors.
When do the NBA playoffs start?
The common season concludes April 13, adopted by the play-in match from April 15 to April 18. The primary spherical of the playoffs start April 19.
Star-studded first-week matchups
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
The defending champions will rejoice their 2024 championship towards maybe their almost certainly Japanese Convention finals foe. The Knicks had been a win away from dealing with the Celtics in Might, and the addition of Mikal Bridges has bolstered their possibilities of making a deep playoff run subsequent spring. — Kevin Pelton
Oct. 23, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
The Clippers will debut the Intuit Dome and its crowd-friendly design, together with “The Wall” designed to be freed from visiting followers, towards gold medalists Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and the Suns. It is also our first have a look at the Clippers with out Paul George following his departure for Philadelphia in free company.– Pelton
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks
Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Victor Wembanyama begins his second NBA marketing campaign towards an opponent who is aware of one thing a couple of Yr 2 leap: Luka Doncic, who made All-NBA first workforce at age 21 a season after successful Rookie of the Yr. Coming off a Finals run, the Mavericks can be incorporating summer season addition Klay Thompson.– Pelton
Dangerous blood? Should-see reunions
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Nov. 12, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
This would be the most anticipated revenge recreation of the season, with Klay Thompson trying to stick it to his previous workforce. Whereas his Golden State legacy is about after forming half of one of many best taking pictures backcourts ever, which helped produce 4 championships, Thompson was “depressing” and felt “disrespected” over his contract talks in his thirteenth and remaining season with the Warriors, sources instructed ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews. Doncic and Kyrie Irving can be trying to discover Thompson early and sometimes as he faces off towards Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced for the primary time, hoping the sharpshooter can problem his document of 14 3-pointers made in a single recreation towards his previous workforce this season.— Ohm Youngmisuk
Philadelphia 76ers at LA Clippers
Nov. 6, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
Paul George was aggravated that the Clippers had been reluctant to present him the similar three-year, $150 million extension given to Kawhi Leonardin January. By the point talks resumed, George’s value had gone up. The Clippers, unwilling to present George a max contract or a no-trade clause, let their All-Star guard stroll to the 76ers to keep away from the dreaded second apron. George — who signed a four-year, $212 million take care of the Sixers — was purported to open the brand new Intuit Dome alongside Leonard. As a substitute, he can be extremely motivated to gentle up Steve Ballmer’s technological surprise on the evening after Election Day. In truth, the Clippers play each their regular-season video games towards PG and the Sixers within the span of two weeks in November.— Youngmisuk
Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls
Jan. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET
DeRozan shouldn’t be solely again in his house state of California however he’s again on a playoff contending workforce after becoming a member of the Kings in a sign-and-trade. DeRozan spent three seasons averaging 25.5 factors in Chicago, however in that span, the Bulls made the postseason simply as soon as, shedding within the first spherical. DeRozan can be desirous to return to the playoffs for simply the third time in seven seasons and present his new workforce that he is one of the crucial clutch gamers within the NBA. If this recreation is shut on the finish, DeRozan will doubtless remind the Bulls of simply that, as properly.— Youngmisuk
Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Knicks and Nets had not made a commerce with one another since 1983 till this summer season. When Brooklyn followers see Bridges in a Knicks uniform, they may really feel like their franchise has been set again to the early ’80s. The Nets acquired a Brooklyn Bridge-sized haul for the two-way dynamo with 4 unprotected first-round picks, a top-four protected first-rounder, an unprotected choose swap and a second-round choose within the deal. However none of these future picks will assist the Nets at Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 15 after they’ll have to look at Bridges and the Nova Knicks, very doubtless at their expense.— Youngmisuk
Run it again: Huge postseason rematches
Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m. ET | ABC
Finals rematches are at all times intriguing — particularly when the shedding membership continues to be a comparatively new group that is nonetheless creating cohesion (and one which’s including a premier 3-point shooter in Thompson, even when the ex-Warriors star is coming off certainly one of his worst years from deep). The Celtics are a machine, they usually had much better two-way stability than the Mavs within the Finals. However Doncic is a perennial MVP contender who’s solely getting higher every season. It is must-see tv.— Chris Herring
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov. 1, 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Of all of the surprises that passed off in the course of the playoffs, arguably none had been greater than Minnesota’s gorgeous Sport 7 comeback on the highway — from 20 factors down — to take down the then-defending-champion Nuggets. You possibly can think about that Denver is trying ahead to its alternative for revenge. However on a extra fundamental stage, watching Anthony Edwards, maybe the league’s most entertaining participant, sq. off with Nikola Jokic, the world’s greatest participant, is sufficient to get enthusiastic about.— Herring
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov. 1, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN
It wasn’t probably the most glamorous postseason matchup, however so far as first-round collection went, it was the most effective, and the one one to go the space. And now, with some playoff seasoning and the addition of two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Magic needs to be a greater, extra skilled model of themselves. By the identical token, it will likely be fascinating to see whether or not the Cavs, who just lately locked Donovan Mitchell into an extension, can take a step ahead after making a training change — a crucial transfer to stave off extra exhausting questions concerning the core of the roster.— Herring
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
We noticed it occur with Trae Younger and the Hawks just a few years again, and it is a no-brainer that it’ll occur now with Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. Their matchup goes to be puffed up after they sq. off towards the Knicks on the Backyard due to how New York’s run ended this previous season. Between the Reggie Miller period and Haliburton making the Staff USA roster over Knicks star Jalen Brunson, the headlines determine to be countless. However on the root, these are two good groups that ought to enhance upon the spectacular campaigns they simply had.— Herring
Extremely anticipated vacation showdowns
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
Dec. 25, midday ET | ESPN
With all due respect to captain Jalen Brunson and the Nova Knicks, the marquee attraction within the Madison Sq. Backyard matinee can be Wembanyama making the primary of what is going to absolutely be many Christmas Day appearances. As he just lately reminded us within the Olympic gold medal recreation, the French phenom totally embraces enjoying on massive levels.— Tim MacMahon
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
Dec. 25, 2:30 p.m. ET | ABC
The rematch of final season’s West finals contains a Christmas debut by one other high-wattage younger star, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards. At 25, Doncic has already earned the standing of being a Christmas staple, as this would be the fourth straight yr he has performed within the league’s annual showcase slate. Doncic had arguably the best Christmas efficiency of all time final season, when he had 50 factors, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and three blocks in a highway win over the Suns.— MacMahon
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Dec. 25, 5 p.m. ET | ABC
Do the 76ers rank as defending champion Celtics’ hardest challengers? Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and prized free agent acquisition Paul George can have an opportunity to make an announcement within the Christmas highlight. Will Boston have Kristaps Porzingis again by then?— MacMahon
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Dec. 25, 8 p.m. ET | ABC
Solely Santa Claus has made extra Christmas appearances than LeBron James. He holds the NBA information for Christmas factors (476) and appearances (18). Christmas video games usually have not been merry for Stephen Curry. The Warriors are 4-6 in his 10 appearances, and Curry has averaged 15.6 factors whereas taking pictures 31.7% from the ground and 23.1% from 3-point vary.— MacMahon
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
Dec. 25, 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
The Suns may want proprietor Mat Ishbia to take a cost once more to decelerate Jokic. Jokic had 41 factors, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in an extra time Christmas win over the Suns a few years in the past. Booker, who left that recreation early with damage, is the lone Suns starter remaining from that squad. That roster transformation began with the commerce for Durant, who ranks behind solely James, Kobe Bryant and Oscar Robertson with 315 profession factors in Christmas video games.— MacMahon
LeBron’s twenty second season: The place will the King make historical past subsequent?
Bronny’s debut together with his father
Date: TBD
The NBA can be tipping off its 79th season this fall. At any time when Bronny James steps on the court docket in a recreation with LeBron James, the Lakers duo will make historical past as the primary father and son to play collectively within the eight a long time the league has existed. The second guarantees to be awe-inspiring, however fleeting. Afterward, the actual work will start for the No. 55 choose in persevering with to enhance.— Dave McMenamin
LeBron’s first recreation at 40 years previous
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 31, 9 p.m. ET
James has performed on his birthday 10 occasions via his first 21 seasons, and he has been dominant on the event, averaging 32.9 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists. His groups have gone simply 5-5 in these Dec. 30 video games, nonetheless, typically resulting in an introspective James taking inventory of the season afterward with normally 30 or so video games below his belt because the calendar readies to flip to the New Yr.–McMenamin
First go to to Intuit Dome
Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers
Jan. 19, 9 p.m. ET
Wealthy Paul instructed ESPN years in the past that James would by no means don a Clippers uniform in his profession because the woebegone franchise did not match his consumer’s pedigree, however that was earlier than the Clips constructed what figures to be probably the most spectacular basketball area on this planet. James may technically be a customer coming into Intuit as a Laker, however there isn’t any doubt town of L.A. can be cheering for him to placed on a present to christen the brand new court docket in its inaugural yr. –McMenamin
Nuggets revenge recreation
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
Nov. 23, 10:30 p.m. ET | NBATV
The Lakers may need received Sport 4 of their first-round collection towards Denver to keep away from being swept out of the postseason by Jokic & Co. for the second straight yr, however they promptly misplaced the following recreation to make it 12 losses of their previous 13 video games towards the Nuggets. Whereas L.A. can be trying to reset the rivalry below new coach JJ Redick, Jokic might have some revenge of his personal on his thoughts after seeing James and Anthony Davis for the primary time since Staff USA stormed again from 17 all the way down to beat his Serbian squad of their Olympic semifinal.–McMenamin
All-Star showdowns and rookie matchups
French phenoms rookie showdown
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET
It might not have the identical cachet as a number of the current No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups, however (doubtless) future French nationwide teammates Risacher and Sarr will first meet in October. The 2 did sq. off in summer season league — Risacher had 18 factors, however Sarr and his Wizards obtained the win. Each gamers are going to be out to show they belong within the league after the fixed speak about it being a down yr for the highest of the draft.–Andrew Lopez
Nationwide championship rematch
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Path Blazers
Nov. 10, 9 p.m. ET
The 2 massive males from final season’s NCAA title recreation will meet for the primary time with totally different expectations for his or her groups. Edey’s Grizzlies determine to be again within the playoff image within the Western Convention with Ja Morant again within the fold, whereas Clingan’s Path Blazers are projected to be preventing for one more lottery choose. Whereas this primary assembly will not have the identical stakes for the 7-foot-4 Edey and the 7-foot-2 Clingan, it is actually one to look at.–Lopez
Chet vs. Wemby Yr 2
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Oct. 30, 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
In Wembanyama’s farewell Instagram submit to the 2022-23 season, he had footage of him battling Jokic, blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo, jersey-swapping with fellow French rookie Bilal Coulibaly and … blocking Chet Holmgren. Regardless of what these two have mentioned publicly, that is going to be a matchup to look at for years to return (possibly even in 2028 on the Olympics).–Lopez
Each workforce’s full 2024-25 schedule
Atlantic: BOS | BKN | NYK | PHI | TOR
Central: CHI | CLE | DET | IND | MIL
Southeast: ATL | CHA | MIA | ORL | WAS
Pacific: GS | LAC | LAL | PHX | SAC
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