NBA tips off 2025-26 season with Thunder-Rockets opener, Warriors-Lakers to follow
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The NBA’s 80th campaign officially began on Oct. 21, 2025, when the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Houston Rockets to launch the 2025-26 season.
Oklahoma City entered the night looking to start a title defense on the right foot, while Houston unveiled its new lineup featuring Kevin Durant.
Second game on the slate
At 10 p.m. ET, the Golden State Warriors are set to square off against the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup will air on NBC and Peacock.
Luka Doncic opens his first full season in a Lakers uniform, but Los Angeles will be without LeBron James, who is expected to miss three to four weeks because of sciatica.
The two contests mark the first chapter of the league’s milestone 80th season.
Source: ESPN
