NBA Schedule Revealed

ESPN's Shams Charania shared on Friday which teams will be in action for Opening Night and Christmas Day.

NBA Schedule Revealed for Opening Night and Christmas Day

Two marquee days in the NBA calendar are set with a mix of old rivalries and fresh storylines. Opening Night on Tuesday Oct 21 features a title defense opener for the Thunder at home against the Rockets, the other game sending Curry against LeBron on the road as the Warriors visit the Lakers. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the doubleheader, highlighting high drama from the start of the season. Christmas Day follows a similar pattern for continuity, with Cavaliers at Knicks in the morning, Spurs at Thunder later, then Lakers hosting the Rockets, Mavericks led by top pick Cooper Flagg facing Curry and the Warriors, and the Nuggets closing at home against the Timberwolves. Those games will air on ABC and ESPN, ensuring a broad television footprint across the holiday lineup.

The schedule leans on star power to draw viewers across major networks. The Curry vs LeBron matchup remains a durable ratings anchor, while Durant against LeBron on Christmas adds a cross-generational storyline. Adding Cooper Flagg to the Mavericks signals a nod to the next generation of talent within a familiar rival framework. Teams will face a demanding start with back-to-back national broadcasts, which could influence load management and travel plans. Overall, the league cements a calendar that blends tradition with new narratives aimed at sustaining interest through the opening weeks.

Highlights

The schedule points to a season built around marquee matchups and broad appeal.