Key Matchups to Keep an Eye on for the 2025-26 NBA Schedule
The full schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season was announced on Thursday, August 14th, promising an exciting season ahead. Earlier this week, Opening Night and Christmas Day games were announced ahead of the full schedule. The season opens with the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant traveling to the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant will not only be making his debut as a Rocket, but visiting the team that drafted him 2nd overall in 2007.
Notable Homecomings This Season
The NBA was full of big moves during the offseason. Now, fans are on the lookout for some of their favorite players' returns. It all starts with Kevin Durant, as he makes his first appearance back in Phoenix on November 24th. Additionally, Anthony Davis makes his return to LA on November 28th for an NBA cup game. After his surprising departure from Indiana following their trip to the NBA Finals, Myles Turner will visit Indiana for the first time as a Milwaukee Buck on November 3rd. On the other side of the Durant trade, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks have their homecoming to Houston on December 5th.
Blockbuster Mathcups
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are the second game on opening night, marking another addition to the rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The NBA also gave fans a loaded Christmas Day slate, featuring a Rockets vs. Lakers battle where Durant will face James for the first time as a Rocket. Other notable Christmas Day matchups include Cavaliers vs. Knicks, Spurs vs. Thunder, Mavericks vs. Warriors, and Timberwolves vs. Nuggets.
A New Era for the NBA
The announcement of the new NBA schedule has fans marking their calendars. From a new TV deal kicking in to an expansion overseas, the NBA has a lot of new and exciting elements for the season. For the first time, NBA games will be played in Berlin and London between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies. Plus, there will be an additional game in Mexico City between the Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons. The 2025-26 NBA season marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter for the league.
