The wait is finally over! The NBA returns on Tuesday, October 22 with a star-studded two-game slate featuring a quartet of top-tier championship contenders. The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics get the party started at 7:30 p.m. ET in what many believe will be a preview of the Eastern Conference Final.
Then, it's off to Los Angeles, as the Minnesota Timberwolves go toe-to-toe with the Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET. There's plenty of intrigue in the nightcap as the new-look Wolves take the court for the first time without Karl-Anthony Towns, whom they dealt to the Knicks in the offseason. Will Minnesota need time to gel, or will Julius Randle prove to be the missing piece next to reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert?
Opening Night always gets lots of attention, but there are many more noteworthy events and deadlines on the NBA schedule that deserve just as much fanfare. Here are 14 more can’t-miss dates that every NBA fan should circle on their calendar.
Nov. 2, 2024: NBA Mexico City Game
The NBA will celebrate the 32nd anniversary of its Mexico City Game with a Southeast Division grudge match between the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards at Arena CDMX. Expect Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards to have revenge on their minds after losing three of their four matchups to the Heat a season ago.
Dec. 17, 2024: NBA Cup Championship Game
It may have been a little confusing at times, but the inaugural NBA Cup was a smashing success as the Lakers pummeled the Pacers before a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas. The NBA got the ratings it wanted, LeBron James got another trophy to add to his mantle, and the winners bagged an additional $500,000 each for their efforts.
This year's 30-team competition will culminate in a Final Four in Las Vegas on December 14, with the winner from each conference laying it all on the line for the NBA Cup three days later.
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder have the shortest NBA In-Season Tournament odds, but it remains to be seen how motivated either club will be to extend maximum effort so early in the season.
Dec. 25, 2023: NBA Christmas Day Showcase
Christmas Day is the most wonderful time of the year for basketball fans as the NBA rolls out five marquee matchups. Even if you don’t like hoops, it’s an excellent excuse to get away from your overbearing in-laws for an hour or two.
This year's yule tide schedule features a who's-who of former MVPs including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic, all of whom will surely be on Santa's nice list.
| Time | Matchup | Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. ET | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| 2:30 p.m. ET | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN, ABC |
| 5:00 p.m. ET | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN, ABC |
| 8:00 p.m. ET | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. ET | Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns | ESPN |
Jan. 23-24, 2025: NBA Paris Games
The City of Lights will get a taste of NBA basketball in January when the San Antonio Spurs butt heads with the Indiana Pacers at Accor Arena. The games will be a very special homecoming for Victor Wembanyama, who grew up on the outskirts of the French capital and led France to a hard-fought silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
🇫🇷 Paris, on revient !! … Et pour 𝐃𝐄𝐔𝐗 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐒 🤩
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) April 29, 2024
Spurs 🆚 Pacers. Les 23 et 25 janvier 2025#NBAParis Games 2025 présentés par @tissot
🎟️ Restez connectés via https://t.co/xoYOJG7vf2 pic.twitter.com/AFiSYUh6X8
Jan. 21-25, 2025: NBA Rivals Week
The NBA is a league built on rivalries: Celtics vs. Lakers; Knicks vs. Heat; Dillon Brooks vs. Daniel Theis' crotch. The Association is finally making the most of these classic clashes with a thrilling 11-game slate culminating in a tripleheader on ABC on January 25.
Feb. 6, 2025: NBA Trade Deadline
The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline was an admittedly lowkey affair with few All-Stars swapping zip codes. Sure, Bojan Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield, and P.J. Washington all found new homes, but it lacked the high-stakes drama of 2023 when Kevin Durant and Mikal Bridges were exchanged in a dizzying 12-player deal.
Expect considerably more fireworks this February with Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram, and Lauri Markkanen all among a host of likely trade candidates.
Feb 14-16, 2025: NBA All-Star Festivities
The NBA All-Star Game will return to sunny California for the fifth time since 2000 when the Warriors host the NBA's midseason classic. Although this is the second time Golden State has earned the honor, it's the first time the game will be played in San Francisco following the team's relocation to Chase Center in 2019.
The hometown Dubs are likely to be well represented in the weekend's many festivities. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins will all merit All-Star consideration, while new acquisition Buddy Hield is widely expected to participate in his fourth 3-point contest.
Bay Area from above 📸#NBAAllStar 2025 heads to the home of the Warriors, Feb. 14-16 🤩pic.twitter.com/MHzWrUt1ot
— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024
April 16-19, 2025: NBA Play-In Tournament begins
It’s hard to say which invention is better: the NBA’s Play-In Tournament or sliced bread. Since introducing the tourney in 2021, the regular season has taken on greater significance, tanking has been reduced, and fans have been treated to “Holy @%$! Did you see that?!” moments like this:
How did Tyrese Maxey make this? 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2024
He switched finishing hands in midair 😱
Sixers and Heat are battling for the #7 seed in the #SoFiPlayIn on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/M5Wq1Vw4jy
April 20, 2025: NBA Playoffs begin
The regular season is fun, but nothing compares to the sheer intensity of the playoffs. Buckle up as the Top 16 remaining teams blaze a path to glory.
May 6-7, 2025: NBA Conference Semifinals begin
It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff as the top remaining eight teams move one step closer to hoisting the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy.
May 21-22, 2025: NBA Conference Finals begin
The Eastern Conference and Western Conference crowns will be up for grabs as the top four remaining teams duke it out.
May 12, 2024: NBA Draft Lottery
Representatives from the league’s 14 bottom feeders will dust off their lucky rabbit feet for a chance to nab the top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Expect plenty of weird knickknacks and loads of awkward small talk as the picks are revealed.
June 5, 2024: NBA Finals begin
The NBA’s annual title series tips off on June 5, but the big question is, who will be playing? The defending champion Celtics opened with +300 NBA championship odds after asserting their dominance against the Mavericks. However, they'll face plenty of competition from within their own division after the Knicks dealt for Karl-Anthony Towns prior to the preseason. The four-time All-Star joins a revamped frontcourt featuring former Net Mikal Bridges and former Raptor OG Anunoby, who averaged 14.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 23 games for the Knickerbockers last season.
Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show, because only one of these Eastern Conference Goliaths can advance to basketball’s biggest stage.
June 27, 2024: NBA Draft
Remember all the intrigue and handwringing in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft? Don't expect a repeat this year as Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is positioned as a -500 favorite to be selected first overall.
The 17-year-old five-star recruit made headlines this summer, first when he was selected to play against Team USA in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics, and secondly when he absolutely dominated the competition.
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosely was one of many NBA officials present who were blown away by Flagg's play. "He’s a special young man," he said after observing Flagg stand his ground against the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. "His talent level, his basketball IQ, his level of toughness, not afraid of those moments, protect the rim, make the right play, make the right read. He had all that."
Cooper Flagg taking over. 🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 8, 2024
(via @BenGolliver, h/t @DukeNBA)
pic.twitter.com/fYfNQPbLXu
