The NBA officially unveiled the entire schedule for the 2024-25 regular season and everything else is now set.
SAVE THE DATE! 📅
— NBA (@NBA) August 15, 2024
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
Plenty of stars will don new jerseys next 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 -- setting up some must-see reunions.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama will look to take the next step in his ascension to NBA superstardom, while 39-year-old LeBron James, fresh off a gold medal in Paris, will embark on his record-tying 22nd season in the league.
Let’s take a look at the calendar to highlight — in no particular order — some of the most anticipated games and storylines in the upcoming season.
Star-studded first-week matchups
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics - October 23 (PH Time)
A classic old rivalry will open the 2024-25 season.
Paris 2024 gold medalists Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, alongside reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, will first raise championship banner no. 18 at the TD Garden for the defending champion Celtics before their quest for a title repeat formally starts against a retooled Knicks squad.
In hopes of competing and possibly dethroning Boston, New York swung big-time in the offseason, trading for two-way star Mikal Bridges to join former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Hosh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.
The Knicks also kept OG Anunoby and are hopeful to get a healthy Julius Randle back in a loaded squad that are one win away from facing the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers – October 23 (PH Time)
As one era ends, another one starts.
The Clippers will make their home debut in a brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium in the Intuit Dome against another pair of Paris 2024 gold medalists Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the rest of the Phoenix Suns.
All eyes are also on the Clips, who are playing for the first time following the departure of former superstar Paul George after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks - October 24 (PH Time)
Two of the best international superstars collide as Victor Wembanyama begins her second NBA season against an opponent who knows something about a Year 2 leap: Luka Doncic, who made All-NBA first team at age 21 a season after winning Rookie of the Year.
Fresh from a silver medal finish in Paris 2024, Wemby had a chip on his shoulder and is more than ready to lead the Spurs back into the postseason after a dismal 22-60 campaign last season.
Doncic is back with backcourt mate Kyrie Irving after a season where Dallas reached their first ever NBA Finals since 2011 and were three wins away from the title.
Oh, did we forget that this will be Klay Thompson’s home debut for the Mavericks?
Revenge games incoming?: Must-see reunions
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors - November 13 (PH Time)
This will probably be the most anticipated revenge game of the season, with Klay Thompson looking to stick it to his old team.
Thompson ended his 13-year stay in the Bay Area that saw him grow into a multi-time All-Star, a four-time champion, and forming one half of one of the greatest shooting backcourts ever with Stephen Curry.
[ALSO READ: End of an era as Klay Thompson moves on from Warriors, set to join Mavericks--reports]
But the 34-year-old opted for a fresh start with Doncic and former Finals tormentor Irving to join the Mavericks.
Philadelphia 76ers at LA Clippers - November 7 (PH Time)
Maybe Paul George circled this game date on his calendar and why not?
George, who moved on from the Clippers and signed with the Sixers to join former MVP Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, will face the team he spent the last five seasons of his career in the new Intuit Dome.
[ALSO READ: Yay or nay?: Joel Embiid, Pat Bev, NBA community speak on Paul George’s blockbuster move to join Philadelphia 76ers]
PG will also go head-to-head with former superstar teammate Kawhi Leonard for the first time since their days in the OKC Thunder and the Toronto Raptors, respectively.
In fact, the Clippers play both their regular-season games against George and the Sixers in the span of 2½ weeks in November.
Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls - January 13 (PH Time)
Finally, DeMar DeRozan is back at home.
DeRozan is not only back in his home state of California, but is playing on a playoff contending team after joining the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade.
The multi-time All-Star spent three seasons averaging 25.5 points in Chicago, but in that span, the Bulls made the postseason just once, losing in the first round.
DeRozan will be eager to return to the playoffs for just the third time in seven seasons and show his new team that he's one of the most clutch players in the NBA.
If this game is close at the end, DeRozan will likely remind the Bulls of just that, as well.
Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks - November 16 (PH Time)
The Knicks and Nets had not made a trade with each other since 1983.
That all changed when the Nets swung a mega trade in sending superstar Mikal Bridges to their cross-town rivals in exchange for four unprotected first-round picks, a top-four protected first-rounder, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in the deal.
But none of those future picks will help the Nets– at least for now– at Madison Square Garden in their first showdown that will surely set the basketball eyes straight to the very heart of New York.
Run it back!: Big postseason rematches
Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks - January 26 (PH Time)
Finals rematches are always intriguing -- especially when the losing club, in this case the Mavericks, are still a relatively new group that's still developing cohesion with the addition of four-time champion Klay Thompson.
The Celtics are a machine, and they had far better two-way balance than the Mavericks in the Finals.
But Doncic is a perennial MVP contender who's only getting better each season as this highly-anticipated is a must-see television.
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves - November 2 (PH Time)
Of all the surprises that took place during last year’s playoffs, arguably none were bigger than Minnesota's stunning Game 7 comeback on the road -- from 20 points down -- to take down the then-defending-champion Nuggets.
You can imagine that Denver is looking forward to its opportunity for revenge especially with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is coming off a bronze medal campaign in Paris 2024.
But on a more basic level, watching Anthony Edwards, perhaps the league's most entertaining player, square off with Nikola Jokic, the world's best player, is enough to get excited about.
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers- November 2 (PH Time)
Sure, it wasn't the most glamorous postseason matchup, but as far as first-round series went, the Cavaliers-Magic showdown was the best, and the only one to go the distance.
And now, with some playoff seasoning and the addition of two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Magic should be a better, more experienced version of themselves.
By the same token, it will be fascinating to see whether the Cavs, who recently locked Donovan Mitchell into an extension, can take a step forward after making a coaching change .
Indiana Pacers at New York Knick - October 26 (PH Time)
We saw it happen with Trae Young and the Hawks a few years back, and it's a no-brainer that it will happen now with Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
Indiana’s first matchup against New York at the Garden will surely be hyped up because of how the Knicks’ championship aspirations were ended by the Pacers.
Between the Reggie Miller era and Haliburton making the Team USA roster over Brunson, the headlines figure to be endless.
The gift that keeps giving: Highly-anticipated Christmas Day games
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks- December 26 (PH Time)
With all due respect to Brunson and the Nova Knicks, the marquee attraction in the Madison Square Garden matinee will be Wembanyama making his debut of what will surely be many Christmas Day appearances.
As he recently reminded us in the Olympic gold medal game, the French phenom fully embraces playing on big stages.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks - December 26 (PH Time)
The rematch of last season's West finals features a Christmas debut by another high-wattage young star, Anthony Edwards.
At 25, Doncic has already earned the status of being a Christmas staple, as this will be the fourth straight year he has played in the league's annual showcase slate.
The Slovenian wizard had arguably the greatest Christmas performance of all time last season, dropping 50 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks in a road win over the Phoenix Suns.
But what’s in store for Luka Magic this holiday?
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics - December 26 (PH Time)
Do the 76ers rank as defending champion Celtics' toughest challengers?
That question will have a definite answer once the Big Three of Embiid, Maxey and George make a statement in the Christmas spotlight against the defending champs in Boston.
But for the Celtics, will Kristaps Porzingis be back by then?
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors - December 26 (PH Time)
Only Santa Claus has made more Christmas appearances than LeBron James. The four-time champion holds the NBA records for Christmas points (476) and appearances (18).
Christmas games, however, often haven't been merry for Curry as the Warriors superstar is just 4-6 in his 10 appearances and averaged just 15.6 points while shooting 31.7% from the field including a measly 23.1% shooting clip beyond the arc.
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns - December 26 (PH Time)
The Suns might need owner Mat Ishbia to take charge again to slow down Jokic.
Jokic had 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in an overtime Christmas win over the Suns a couple of years ago.
Booker, who left that game early with injury, is the lone Suns starter remaining from that squad.
That roster transformation started with the trade for Durant, who ranks behind only James, Kobe Bryant and Oscar Robertson with 315 career points in Christmas games.
LeBron's 22nd season: Where will the King make history next?
Season 22 rolling: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers- October 23 (PH Time)
After securing an Olympic gold medal, LeBron James begins his 22nd season on a season debut like no other.
No question that LeBron will play but the question mark is whether his son, Bronny, will be on the Lakers’ active roster come opening night (about that later).
But the Lakers prime-time date with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be the first opportunity to witness history, if ever we see LeBron and Bronny share a historic moment together.
Plus, JJ Reddick will make his coaching debut and the whole world, regardless of the result of the game, will say the good and the bad on the former NBA veteran’s first impression.
Bronny's debut with his father: Date: TBD
The NBA will be tipping off its 79th season and when Bronny steps on the court in a game with father and teammate LeBron, the Lakers duo will make history as the first father and son to play together in the eight decades the league has existed. The moment promises to be awe-inspiring, but fleeting. Afterward, the real work begins for the No. 55 pick in continuing to improve his game.
[ALSO READ: Lakers select Bronny James at no. 55, joins dad LeBron in LA in historic NBA moment]
LeBron's first game at 40 years old : Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers- January 1, (PH Time)
James has played on his birthday 10 times through his first 21 seasons, and he has been dominant on the occasion, averaging 32.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists.
His teams have gone just 5-5 in those Dec. 30 games, sometimes leading to an introspective James taking stock of the season afterward with usually 30 or so games under his belt as the calendar readies to flip to the New Year.
Other notable storylines
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks- October 29 (PH Time)
It may not have the same cachet as some of the recent No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups, but (likely) future French national teammates Risacher and Sarr will first meet in October.
The two did square off in summer league -- Risacher had 18 points, but Sarr and his Wizards got the win.
Both players are going to be out to prove they belong in the league after the constant talk about it being a down year for the top of the draft.
National championship rematch: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers - November 11 (PH Time)
The two big men from last season's NCAA men's basketball title game will meet for the first time in the NBA with different expectations for their teams.
Zach Edey's Grizzlies figure to be back in the playoff picture in the Western Conference with superstar Ja Morant back in the fold, while Donnovan Clingan's Trail Blazers are projected to be fighting for another lottery pick.
While this first meeting won't have the same stakes for the 7-foot-4 Edey and the 7-foot-2 Clingan, it's certainly one to watch.
Chet vs. Wemby Year 2: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder - October 31 (PH Time)
In Wembanyama's farewell Instagram post to the 2022-23 season, he had pictures of him battling Jokic, blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo, jersey-swapping with fellow French rookie Bilal Coulibaly and ... blocking Chet Holmgren.
Despite what these two have said publicly, this is going to be a matchup to watch for years to come and maybe even in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
