The schedule for the 2025-2026 NBA season is starting to take place, as early pieces of the schedule are making their way out.
For Opening Night on Oct. 21, the NBA will kick off the year with two big games on NBC, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The night will include the Houston Rockets playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Golden State Warriors traveling to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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The first matchup has the defending NBA champs hosting the Rockets, who finished second in the West last season. The second could pit two league heavyweights, Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Lakers forward LeBron James, against each other to start the season (though James’ future with the Lakers is currently a little uncertain).
Either way, it opens the season with the league’s triumphant return to NBC, as the network hosts NBA games for the first time in more than two decades.
In addition to Opening Night, Charania has offered up a report on the NBA’s Christmas Day slate. Those matchups are:
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Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
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San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
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Houston Rockets at the Lakers
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Dallas Mavericks at the Warriors
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Minnesota Timberwolves at the Denver Nuggets
Four of the five matchups will be between Western Conference teams, with only Cavs-Knicks representing the East. Additionally, the Lakers and Warriors will be the only teams featured on both of the NBA’s signature days.
