The NBA has unveiled its full schedule for the 2025-26 regular season this Thursday afternoon, giving teams and fans time to gear up for an exciting year. The season kicks off on Tuesday, October 21st, featuring the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Houston Rockets, marking Kevin Durant’s first game with Houston. The Lakers will also begin their campaign with a showdown against the Warriors on opening night. Other teams will commence their seasons later in the week with notable early matchups including the Knicks vs. Cavaliers, Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, and Pacers vs. Thunder—a rematch from the 2025 NBA Finals. The 2025 NBA Cup starts on October 31st, culminating in the championship game in Las Vegas on December 16th.
Key dates to note include the trade deadline coinciding with the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 5th. This season features at least two nationally broadcast games per team, with a total of 247 games airing on new TV partners nationwide—a significant increase from the previous 172 games. Additionally, no team will play more than 16 consecutive games and none will have a nationally televised game scheduled the night after a major broadcast.
Fan Take: This comprehensive schedule release electrifies the anticipation for NBA fans, highlighting marquee matchups and improved national coverage that could bring basketball to even more households. The balance in scheduling also ensures teams stay competitive and well-rested, potentially elevating the quality of play throughout the season.
