NBA unveils 2025-26 regular-season schedule; Thunder–Rockets to open on Oct. 21
nba-2025-26-schedule-release-highlights
The NBA released its full 2025-26 regular-season schedule on Thursday, setting the Oklahoma City Thunder’s home meeting with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets for Opening Night on Oct. 21. The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Golden State Warriors in the nightcap.
ESPN’s coverage begins the following day, Oct. 22, when the New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg is slated to make his NBA debut later that evening as the Dallas Mavericks take on the San Antonio Spurs.
Christmas Day on ESPN/ABC will start with another Cavaliers-Knicks matchup at the Garden and wrap up with the Minnesota Timberwolves facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Should LeBron James suit up for the Lakers against the Rockets earlier that day, it would mark his 20th Christmas appearance—an honor only 12 NBA franchises have reached.
The Thunder, Lakers, Warriors and Knicks share the league lead with 34 nationally televised games apiece, while the Timberwolves and Rockets are next with 28.
Creative schedule reveals flood social media
All 30 clubs rolled out their slates with themed social-media posts:
- The Atlanta Hawks teased “Basketball is Coming” in a homage to fantasy drama.
- Boston’s Celtics labeled their calendar “extra spicy,” and the Brooklyn Nets highlighted their partnership with Ticketmaster.
- The Orlando Magic paired game dates with adoptable puppies, while the Portland Trail Blazers leaned on feline puns.
- Milwaukee’s Bucks encouraged “chug responsibly,” the Memphis Grizzlies celebrated “25 seasons in the 901,” and the Minnesota Timberwolves promised “the moment you’ve all been waiting for.”
- Every franchise, from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards, posted a unique twist, ranging from video games to food-truck themes.
Complete schedules and tickets are available on team websites and the NBA’s official channels.
Source: ESPN
