The Boston Celtics will kick off the 2024-25 NBA season on October 22 by hosting the New York Knicks, an event headlined by the Celtics’ presentation of championship rings. This opening night will unveil Boston’s 18th championship banner in a ceremony eagerly awaited by fans and rivals alike.
That same night, the NBA will also feature a notable game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. This matchup will bring together Olympic gold medalists Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves facing off against Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The league has advertised 1,200 of the 1,230 games scheduled for the season, leaving 30 to be scheduled in December, which will depend on the outcome of the NBA Cup games. Among the early announcements is the return of Klay Thompson to Golden State as a Dallas Maverick, highlighting the dynamic matchups of the season.
Preseason announcements included international games such as the Miami Heat versus the Washington Wizards in Mexico City on November 2 and a two-city game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers in Paris, headlined by Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, on January 23 and 25.
Special Game Days
- Christmas Day: The NBA’s holiday schedule features five games, starting with Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs visiting New York. This is San Antonio’s first holiday game since 2016 and Minnesota’s first since 2017.
- All teams in action: The NBA has planned four special days featuring all 30 teams, starting November 4. This scheduling feat will see a new game start every 15 minutes between 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. EST.
- Election Day: Continuing its civic engagement initiative, the NBA will not schedule games on Election Day, November 5, to encourage voter turnout.
Other highlights
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Seven games will be held on January 20 to commemorate this day; Memphis will host a game in honor of King, continuing a long-standing tradition.
- LeBron James celebrates his 40th birthday: LeBron’s 22nd NBA season will also include his 40th birthday. The Lakers have scheduled games around that date, but will rest on December 30.
New locations and special events
- Intuit Dome: The Los Angeles Clippers will open their new stadium on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns.
- Super Bowl Sunday: The NBA will ensure that its February 9 games conclude well before the start of the NFL’s Super Bowl.
Season Finales & Previews
- Final Rematches: Boston and Dallas will replay last season’s NBA Finals on Jan. 25 and Feb. 6.
- NBA Finals: The season will culminate with the NBA Finals starting June 5; subsequent games will be scheduled based on the progress of the series.
