NBA Unveils Action-Packed 2024-25 Schedule: Rivalries Reignited, Holiday Showdowns, and a Global Game
Get ready basketball fans, the NBA just dropped the schedule for the 2024-25 season, and it’s jam-packed with must-see matchups, holiday spectaculars, and even a trip across the pond. From opening night to the final buzzer, this season promises to be one for the books.
1. Title Contenders Clash on Opening Night:
The season tips off on October 22nd with a doubleheader on TNT that will see the reigning champion Boston Celtics receive their rings against their Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Knicks. Out West, LeBron James begins his record-tying 22nd season as his Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off their first Western Conference Finals appearance in two decades.
2. Christmas Day Delights:
The NBA’s Christmas Day tradition continues with five games broadcast across ESPN platforms. Highlights include a first-time Christmas Day matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, a Western Conference Finals rematch between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves, and a classic battle for Los Angeles as the Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors.
3. Honoring a Legacy on MLK Day:
The league celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20th with a triple-header. TNT will broadcast the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics facing the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, NBA TV will showcase the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Charlotte Hornets.
4. Rivals Week Turns Up the Heat:
Get ready for the third annual NBA Rivals Week, running from January 21st to 25th. This five-day spectacle features ten nationally televised games across TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV, putting classic and emerging rivalries in the spotlight. The week culminates with a triple-header on ABC, including a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
5. Global Game Brings the NBA to Paris:
The NBA continues its global expansion with two games in Paris. The Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs will face off on January 23rd and 25th, offering European fans a taste of NBA action. NBA TV will broadcast the first game, while ESPN will air the second.
6. Key Dates and Must-See Matchups:
- November 1st: ESPN features two rematches of last season’s thrilling seven-game playoff series: Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves.
- November 6th: Paul George returns to Los Angeles as his Philadelphia 76ers face his former team, the Clippers, on ESPN.
- November 12th: Klay Thompson faces his former team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time since joining the Dallas Mavericks in an Emirates NBA Cup matchup on TNT.
- December 19th & February 5th: French phenoms Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher square off as the San Antonio Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks on December 19th (TNT) before heading to Atlanta on February 5th (ESPN).
- January 7th & March 2nd: The Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, the two most recent NBA champions, battle it out on January 7th in Denver (TNT) and March 2nd in Boston (ABC).
- February 6th: The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks meet again for an NBA Finals rematch on February 6th in Boston (TNT).
- February 13th: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in a single-game showcase on TNT leading into NBA All-Star Weekend.
- February 20th: Kevin Durant returns to his college stomping grounds as his Phoenix Suns take on the San Antonio Spurs at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody Center on TNT.
7. Additional Schedule Notes:
- All 30 teams will appear on either TNT or ESPN at least once during the regular season.
- ABC will broadcast 17 games as part of its weekend programming, including NBA Saturday Primetime and NBA Sunday Showcase.
- NBA TV will feature Center Court, its marquee night of programming, throughout the season.
- ESPN Radio will broadcast 26 regular-season games.
- NBA League Pass will offer live, out-of-market games all season long.
8. Looking Ahead to the Playoffs:
- The regular season concludes on April 13th, 2025, followed by the Play-In Tournament from April 15th to 18th.
- The NBA Playoffs begin on April 19th, with the NBA Finals tipping off on June 5th.
- ABC will exclusively televise the NBA Finals, while TNT will exclusively air the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA All-Star Game.
For in-depth team schedules, visit NBA.com/schedule.
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