Opening night tips off on October 21, 2025, featuring the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, signaling NBC’s high-profile return to NBA basketball.
The opening week continues with several anticipated matchups, including rookie Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut for the Dallas Mavericks against No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs on October 22, a rare instance where the top two draft picks meet in their first game. The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks will also headline ESPN’s coverage on the same night.
Christmas Day remains a marquee event, with a five-game slate showcasing some of the league’s brightest stars. The schedule features the Knicks vs. Cavaliers (12 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), Thunder vs. Spurs (2:30 p.m. ET), Warriors vs. Mavericks (5 p.m. ET), Lakers vs. Rockets (8 p.m. ET)—highlighting a showdown between LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic—and the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (10:30 p.m. ET).
The Emirates NBA Cup returns, beginning group play on October 31 and running through November 28, with all games airing on Prime Video. Knockout rounds take place December 9-10 (quarterfinals), December 13 (semifinals), and the championship game on December 16, all streamed exclusively on Prime.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19, 2026) will feature four nationally televised games, starting with the Bucks vs. Hawks, Thunder vs. Cavaliers, Mavericks vs. Knicks, and Celtics vs. Pistons. These games will be available on NBC and Peacock, continuing the league’s tradition of honoring MLK Day with high-profile matchups.
International play is also in focus, with the NBA Mexico City Game on November 1 (Pistons vs. Mavericks), the NBA Berlin Games (Magic vs. Grizzlies on January 15), and the NBA London Games (Magic vs. Grizzlies on January 18), expanding the league’s global reach.
Key season dates include the start of training camps on September 24 for teams playing preseason games overseas, a preseason slate spanning from early October, and the regular season running through April 12, 2026. The All-Star festivities will take place February 13-15, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.
With new broadcasting partners, a packed schedule, and historic rookie matchups, the 2025-26 NBA season promises to be one of the most exciting yet. For full details, visit the official NBA key dates page and follow updates on NBA’s Twitter.