NBA schedule released highlights star matchups and Christmas slate

A concise look at the main games and storylines from the 2025-26 schedule release.

NBA schedule 2025-26 highlights star matchups and Christmas slate

The NBA released the schedule for the 2025-26 season, with opening night pitting the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors. The five game Christmas Day slate and the Emirates Cup, the league’s in-season tournament, anchor a schedule built around marquee matchups.

Several high-profile moves are highlighted, including Kevin Durant joining the Rockets, Chris Paul returning to the Los Angeles Clippers, Myles Turner landing with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Kristaps Porzingis moving to the Atlanta Hawks. Top rookies will clash early, with Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper facing off, and Victor Wembanyama set for an opening-week matchup in Dallas against San Antonio. December also features a reunion theme as Ace Bailey and Harper renew their Rutgers connection when the Jazz play the Spurs. LeBron James starts his 23rd season, adding weight to a calendar already rich with narrative.

ESPN’s insiders break down these storylines, from opening night to the five-game Christmas Day lineup and the season’s marquee showdowns. The All-Star Game is slated for February 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ home court, adding a local spotlight to a league-wide chase for drama.

The schedule appears designed to maximize spectacle as much as to map competition. Opening night pairings test narratives around a potential new dynasty in Bricktown and the enduring Lakers-Curry benchmark that has defined generations of play. The Christmas Day slate, with high-profile matchups spread across different time slots, signals a marketing choice that leans on star power to drive ratings during a holiday when fans are most receptive.

Offseason moves deepen the intrigue by creating fresh rivalries and frontcourt dynamics, from Turner joining the Bucks to Porzingis in Hawks green. The return games and reunion angles add emotional layers that can translate into bigger television audiences and more social chatter. While this focus on marquee games risks leaving some teams with lighter schedules, it also reflects a league strategy built on storytelling, travel feasibility, and consistent national appeal.

Highlights

The schedule is a stage, and the players are the performers who will make the season memorable.