When does the 2024-25 NBA season start? Schedule, NBA Opening Night
The 2024-25 NBA Schedule is officially here. Check out some of the biggest matchups to come this season:
When does the 2024-25 NBA Season start?
The NBA preseason is under way and will continue until Friday, October 18. The NBA regular season will start with NBA Opening Night on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
NBA Opening Night 2024
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the defending champion Boston Celtics will host the New York Knicks. That game will be followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Los Angeles Lakers. Both games will air on TNT.
NBA Opening Week
Here are the rest of the nationally televised games for the opening week:
Wednesday, October 23
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers - 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers - 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Thursday, October 24
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks - 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets - 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Friday, October 25
- Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks - 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Saturday, October 26
- LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets - 5 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
- Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies - 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
- Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
2024 NBA Christmas Day Games
The NBA on Christmas is an annual tradition and this year's slate of games is full of gifts for NBA fans:
- San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks - 12 p.m. (ESPN)
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks - 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics - 5 p.m. (ABC)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors - 8 p.m. (ABC)
- Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns - 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
When was the 2024-25 NBA Schedule Release?
The NBA announced the full 82-game schedule on Thursday, August 15 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Past NBA Schedule Release Dates
- 2023-24: Aug. 17, 2023
- 2022-23: Aug. 17, 2022
- 2021-22: Aug. 20, 2021
- 2020-21: Dec. 4, 2020
- 2019-20: Aug. 13, 2019
- 2018-19: Aug. 10, 2018
- 2017-18: Aug. 14, 2017
- 2016-17: Aug, 11, 2016
- 2015-16: Aug. 12, 2015
- 2014-15: Aug, 13, 2014
- 2013-14: Aug. 6, 2013
- 2012-13: July 26, 2012
- 2011-12: July 19, 2011
- 2010-11: Aug. 10, 2010
- 2009-10: Aug. 4, 2009
- 2008-09: Aug. 6, 2008
2024-25 NBA Schedule and Key Dates
- Oct. 22, 2024: Regular Season starts
- Nov. 2: NBA Mexico City Game 2024 (Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards)
- Nov. 12, 2024: Emirates NBA Cup (formerly known as In-Season Tournament) starts
- Dec. 17, 2024: Emirates NBA Cup Championship
- Jan. 23 & 25, 2025: NBA Paris Games (Spurs vs. Pacers)
- Feb. 6, 2025: NBA Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
- Feb. 14-16, 2025: NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco, CA
- April 13, 2025: NBA Regular Season ends
- April 15-18: NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 19: NBA Playoffs begin