NBA fans still have to be patient until the start of the new season. But the league has already published the schedule for the upcoming season. You can find out which duels you shouldn’t miss here
The time is almost here: the NBA is starting the 2024/25 season. As usual, the league has now published the upcoming schedule three months in advance.
Among other things, it shows that the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, will play the opening game. Coach Joe Mazzulla’s team will host the New York Knicks on the night of October 23 (from 1.30 a.m. German time). This will be followed by a clash between up-and-coming youngster Anthony Edwards and LeBron James, with the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (4 a.m.).
The following night, 20 other teams will kick off their season, with the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic starting on the night of October 25 – directly against the Texas rival San Antonio Spurs with “Alien” Victor Wembanyama.
Klay Thompson and Paul George: Back home
Another game the media and fans had their eyes on was Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area. The shooting guard, who will don the Mavs’ jersey from next season, played for the Golden State Warriors for 13 years. The first meeting will take place on the night of November 13 (from 4 a.m.) as part of the NBA Cup in San Francisco.
But another reunion is also eagerly awaited. According to the game schedule, Paul George will make a guest appearance for the Los Angeles Clippers on the night of November 7 (starting at 4 a.m.). The 34-year-old moved to the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer. His contract had previously expired in the Californian metropolis.
Finals rematch not until next year
In addition to the return of various players to their former places of work, the rematches of past playoff series are also a guarantee for excitement.
The two Finals opponents, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, will face each other for the first time on January 26, 2025. The Texans, who lost the series 1:4, will host the NBA champions led by star duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown at home in the American Airlines Center.
However, the first playoff rematch awaits NBA fans just over a week after the start of the season. Former NBA champion Denver Nuggets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 1. Both teams faced each other in the semi-finals of the Western Conference last season. The latter came out on top in a spectacular victory in game seven (117:90).
We have already presented the five games on Christmas Day, which traditionally attract a lot of attention, here: These are the five games on NBA Christmas Day
