With the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the NBA calendar has settled into a more tranquil period. However, anticipation is already mounting for what promises to be an electrifying 2024-25 season.
Early Start for Celtics and Nuggets
While most NBA teams anticipate the beginning of their training camps in October, the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are on an accelerated timeline. Due to their participation in the NBA Abu Dhabi games, both teams will report earlier, with practices starting on September 25. Media Day for both teams is set for September 24, as they prepare to face off in a pair of preseason matchups in the United Arab Emirates on October 4 and 6.
League-Wide Preparations Begin
Following the Celtics and Nuggets' early start, the rest of the league will commence their media obligations on September 30, with training camps officially beginning on October 1. This staggered start will allow the league to roll out its complete schedule for the 2024-25 regular season on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Opening Night Thrills
The excitement for the new season reaches its peak on October 22, the designated opening night. The Boston Celtics will celebrate their 2024 championship by raising their banner and receiving their rings before hosting the New York Knicks. This celebration sets the stage for what is expected to be a night of high-caliber basketball.
Moreover, opening night will also feature enticing matchups between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as a clash between the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. These games will undoubtedly offer fans a thrilling start to the season.
Debut of the Intuit Dome
On October 23, the Phoenix Suns will take on the Los Angeles Clippers. This game is particularly noteworthy as it marks the Clippers' first regular-season game at their new home, the Intuit Dome. The state-of-the-art arena is expected to provide a unique experience for both players and fans.
Significant Regular Season Matchups
One of the highly anticipated games of the season will take place on November 12, when the Dallas Mavericks face the Golden State Warriors. Warriors' star Klay Thompson will be returning to the Bay Area, adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup.
Fast forward to January 25 and February 6, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will meet in Dallas and Boston, respectively. These games will be their first encounters since the 2024 Finals, promising intense competition and high stakes. Notably, February 6 also marks the NBA Trade Deadline, set for 3 p.m. ET.
Key Dates in the NBA Calendar
The season is peppered with significant events, starting with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on October 12-13. This event will celebrate the newest additions to basketball immortality.
Another highlight is NBA All-Star Weekend, scheduled for February 14-16 in San Francisco. This showcase of the league's top talent is always a fan favorite, featuring a variety of star-studded events and the much-anticipated All-Star Game.
The regular season will draw to a close on April 13, which sets the stage for the NBA Play-In Tournament from April 15-18. This tournament will determine the final playoff spots, leading directly into the NBA Playoffs starting on April 19.
As the NBA steadily approaches these pivotal dates, the anticipation for another thrilling season continues to build, promising fans an unforgettable journey from the first tip-off in October to the crowning of a new champion in the summer.