The 2025-26 NBA season inches closer after what has been a busy summer. The new edition will see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder defend their title after being looked at as favorites to repeat.
The free agency moves now see the West as one of the more stacked conferences. The East saw major shakeups as well, with the Boston Celtics dealing away championship pieces in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. The Orlando Magic swung for Desmond Bane, while the Houston Rockets acquired superstar Kevin Durant.
The Eastern Conference will see the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and the Milwaukee Bucks jostle for top seeds. The Indiana Pacers, Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to make some noise, but come with ample challenges in the form of injuries to major stars and shrugging off poor form from this past season.
The series of moves makes for another explosive NBA season on the cards. Ahead of the start of the marquee tournament, here’s a quick primer of key dates, schedule, and more.
NBA 2025-26 Season: Start Date, Opening Night Matchups, and More
The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Oct. 21. The opening night starts with a bang as the OKC Thunder celebrate their banner night. They take on the Durant-led Rockets at home. It will be a double-header broadcast on NBC with the matchup at 7:30 PM ET.
The second game will see the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors, rivals. The LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry showdown tips off at 10:00 PM ET.
Game on. 🎮 NBA Tip-Off, October 21st on NBC and Peacock. pic.twitter.com/AALohb2D0a
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) August 12, 2025
The in-season tournament starts Oct. 31, and the championship game is slated for Dec. 16. Soon after, the focus shifts to the Christmas Day matchups. Here’s a quick look at the skirmishes (all games will be televised on ABC and ESPN)
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks – 12 PM ET
- San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder – 2:30 PM ET
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors – 5:00 PM ET
- Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 8:00 PM ET
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets – 10:30 PM ET.
The NBA All-Star weekend will be held in Los Angeles this season from February 13-15.
More surprises are expected ahead of the trade deadline. Last season saw some shock moves in the form of Luka Dončić’s trade to the Lakers, while Jimmy Butler came to the West to link up with Curry and Golden State. It remains to be seen if this season’s trade window will see more blockbuster moves.
