The 2024-25 NBA schedule has been released, and the Boston Celtics will kick off their season against the New York Knicks on ring night, October 22. This highly anticipated event marks a celebration of the Celtics’ recent championship victory.
Opening night will see the Celtics not only receive their championship rings but also unveil their 18th championship banner, a significant moment for the franchise and its fans. The rivalry with the Knicks adds an extra layer of excitement to the occasion.
Following the Celtics’ celebration, the Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting Olympic gold medalists Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis on the court. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter.
On Thursday, the NBA announced 1,200 of the 1,230 games scheduled for the season. The remaining 30 games will be determined in December based on the outcomes of the NBA Cup. Notably, Klay Thompson will make his return to Golden State as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, adding intrigue to the season’s early matchups.
Some exciting international games have also been confirmed, including Miami and Washington competing in Mexico City on November 2 and the San Antonio Spurs facing the Indiana Pacers in Paris, featuring Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, on January 23 and 25.
Here’s a closer look at key highlights from the schedule:
Christmas Day Games
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will visit New York to kick off the Christmas Day quintuple-header, followed by matchups like Minnesota at Dallas and Philadelphia at Boston. The Lakers will take on the Warriors, while Denver faces Phoenix.
This year marks the Spurs’ first Christmas game since 2016 and the Timberwolves’ first since 2017, while the Milwaukee Bucks will miss the holiday games for the first time in seven years.
All 30 Teams Playing
The season will feature four nights where all 30 teams are in action, starting on November 4, with games scheduled every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EST.
Other nights with full schedules include February 12, April 11, and April 13, the last day of the regular season.
Election Day Off
For the third straight year, Election Day, November 5, will see no NBA games. The league aims to motivate fans and the broader community to vote and engage in civic duties, providing resources and spotlighting team initiatives.
Additional off days include November 28 (Thanksgiving), December 24 (Christmas Eve), February 17-19 (post-All-Star break), and April 12, with potential for another off day in December based on NBA Cup results.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Games
On January 20, seven games will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This includes Dallas at Charlotte, Detroit at Houston, and Boston at Golden State. Memphis will host a game for the 22nd time in 23 seasons on this significant holiday.
Durant Returns to College Grounds
The Spurs will play two games in Austin, Texas, on February 20 against Kevin Durant and the Suns, followed by a matchup against Detroit on February 21. Durant’s connection to Texas is strong, having played for the Longhorns during his college career.
The Pistons will not visit San Antonio this season, continuing their struggles at the Spurs’ home arena, where they have won only once in the last 14 games.
LeBron’s Milestone Birthday
LeBron James will enter his 22nd NBA season, tying Vince Carter for the record of longevity in the league. Interestingly, he will have the day off on his 40th birthday, December 30, allowing him to reflect on his remarkable career.
The Lakers will play at home against Sacramento on December 28, followed by a game against Cleveland on December 31, marking a reunion with his first NBA team.
James holds a balanced record of 5-5 in games played on his birthday.
Intuit Dome Debut
The Los Angeles Clippers will play their inaugural game at the Intuit Dome on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns. This marks a new chapter for the franchise, which has shared an arena with the Lakers since the 1999-2000 season.
This season will see multiple occasions where both the Clippers and Lakers play at home, with simultaneous games scheduled on several dates, including January 11 and February 6.
Super Bowl Sunday Schedule
On February 9, the NBA will conclude its games well before the Super Bowl kickoff. The schedule includes three games: Charlotte at Detroit, Toronto at Houston, and Philadelphia at Milwaukee, all taking place in the afternoon.
Typically, the Super Bowl starts around 6:30 p.m., allowing basketball fans to enjoy both events.
Finals Rematches
The Celtics will face the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, marking the first rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. The Mavericks will then visit Boston on February 6, continuing the rivalry.
This season will be the seventh in a row without a Finals rematch on Christmas Day, a notable shift from previous years.
No. 1 Draft Picks Face Off
Fans can look forward to two nationally televised games featuring the most recent No. 1 draft picks: Victor Wembanyama from San Antonio and Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta. These games will take place on December 19 in San Antonio and February 5 in Atlanta.
Both players hail from France, adding an international flair to the matchups.
NCAA Championship Game Day
This season, the NBA will not observe its traditional off day on the day of the NCAA men’s basketball championship game. On April 7, Sacramento will visit Detroit, and Philadelphia will play at Miami.
The men’s Final Four will be held in San Antonio, but the Spurs will host Cleveland on April 4 before heading out on a road trip.
The Last Day of the Season
April 13 will feature all 30 teams in action, with games starting at either 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. EDT. Each team will face a conference opponent, except for Toronto and San Antonio, where the Raptors will travel to meet the Spurs.
NBA Finals Outlook
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 5. If the playoff format follows previous years, Game 2 will likely occur on June 8, with subsequent games on June 11, 13, 16, 19, and a potential Game 7 on June 22.
