With the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the NBA is entering a quieter period. However, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a thrilling 2024-25 season. For most teams, training camps will kick off in October, but the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets will get an early start due to their participation in the NBA Abu Dhabi games.
The Celtics and Nuggets are set to report for practice on September 25, ahead of the rest of the league. This accelerated schedule allows them to prepare for their preseason matchups in the United Arab Emirates, where they will face off in a pair of games on October 4 and 6. But before they hit the courts, both teams will participate in Media Day on September 24.
For the rest of the NBA, Media Day will take place on September 30, followed by the start of training camps on October 1. Meanwhile, the league is set to unveil its complete schedule for the 2024-25 regular season on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. As fan excitement grows, the opening night of the new NBA season is circled on many calendars, set for October 22.
Opening Night Extravaganza
Opening night promises to be a spectacle with the Boston Celtics highlighting the festivities. The Celtics will raise their 2024 championship banner and receive their rings before hosting the New York Knicks. This ceremony will set the stage for what is expected to be an electric game. The night will also feature other marquee matchups, including the Minnesota Timberwolves facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks clashing with the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia.
Key Dates and Matchups
As the season progresses, fans can look forward to significant games and events. On October 23, the Phoenix Suns will take on the Los Angeles Clippers. This game is notable as it marks the Clippers' first regular season game at their new home, the Intuit Dome. Additionally, the Dallas Mavericks are set to face the Golden State Warriors on November 12, with Klay Thompson returning to the Bay Area for this pivotal matchup.
Further into the season, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will meet on January 25 in Dallas, their first meeting since the 2024 Finals. The two teams will have another showdown on February 6 in Boston, a date that also coincides with the NBA Trade Deadline, set for 3 p.m. ET.
Special Events
Aside from regular season games, the NBA calendar is packed with special events. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend will take place on October 12-13, celebrating the legends of the game. NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled for February 14-16 in San Francisco, promising a weekend full of excitement and star-studded performances.
The Home Stretch
The regular season will draw to a close on April 13, leading into the NBA Play-In Tournament from April 15-18. This tournament sets the stage for the NBA Playoffs, which will begin on April 19, where the competition will undoubtedly intensify as teams vie for the coveted championship trophy.
As the NBA moves from the quiet of the offseason into the fervor of training camps and preseason games, basketball fans around the world eagerly await the drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments that the 2024-25 season is poised to offer.