NBA 2025-26 Season: Key Dates and Marquee Matchups

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

Will the lingering feelings among Thunder fans regarding Kevin Durant`s departure in 2016 finally subside as the franchise raises its first championship banner? Durant`s return to the Paycom Center with his new Houston Rockets team will be a significant test. Houston`s acquisition of Durant, a move that aligned perfectly with the Thunder`s title win, potentially positions the Rockets as the Western Conference`s strongest challenger to the defending champions. This game, steeped in history between Durant and his former team, is a fitting start to the season`s marquee events.

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

Scheduling a high-profile matchup as the first of 82 games is an excellent way to ensure veteran stars like LeBron James (40) and Stephen Curry (37) are energized. Barring any preseason injuries, both legends are expected to participate in their 56th career head-to-head battle. James currently holds a slight edge in regular-season matchups (14-13), while Curry leads in playoff series (3-2 with a 17-11 record). The number of future encounters between these two icons is uncertain, making this game particularly compelling. With both teams projected to have similar standings in the conference, this opening night contest promises intense competition and significant media attention.

Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant`s history suggests that his returns to former teams often result in a win for his new squad. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has consistently secured victories in his first road games against previous franchises. He scored 34 points upon returning to Oklahoma City as a Warrior, 20 points in a dominant 134-117 win over Golden State in his first Bay Area game, and 33 points when Phoenix defeated the Nets in Brooklyn. Now, leading a contender against a reconfigured Phoenix roster, this reunion promises another impactful performance.

Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers

The offseason`s most unexpected move saw the Bucks, despite limited cap space, sign center Myles Turner. This was achieved by waiving Damian Lillard and stretching his remaining $113 million contract over the next decade. With Turner now on a team that the Pacers have eliminated from the playoffs in the last two seasons, this game adds significant intensity to what has quietly become one of the NBA`s more heated rivalries.

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics

Within a 24-hour span in June, the Celtics made significant changes to their championship-winning roster, trading Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks. Porzingis`s move was one of several by Atlanta this summer, aiming to propel the Hawks back into contention for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. This match will undoubtedly infuse extra spice into the Latvian`s return to Boston, where he quickly became a fan favorite during his two seasons in Celtic green.

NBA Finals Rematch: Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers

This Finals rematch unfortunately loses some of its sheen due to Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton`s Achilles tendon tear in Game 7, an injury that will sideline him for the entire season. However, the friendly yet fierce competition between MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his childhood friend Andrew Nembhard, who will step in as the Pacers` primary ball-handler in Haliburton`s absence, consistently delivers an entertaining spectacle.

Western Conference Finals Rematch: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder

Can this truly be considered a rivalry after a dominant sweep in the conference finals? The Timberwolves, who lost a key contributor in Nickeil Alexander-Walker to free agency, must prove they are serious contenders against a young Oklahoma City squad that retains its entire rotation. After reaching the conference finals in the past two years, Minnesota`s best hope for a breakthrough lies in 24-year-old All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards making another significant leap. There is no greater challenge than facing the Thunder`s suffocating defense, anchored by defensive specialist Luguentz Dort.

Eastern Conference Semifinals Rematch: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks

Just months ago, these teams engaged in a playoff series where few gave New York a chance, especially after the Knicks were swept in the regular season by the defending NBA champions. However, after the Knicks staged two stunning comebacks to start the series, Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear on the Madison Square Garden floor in Game 4. This incident drastically altered the trajectory of not only the Celtics but the entire league. Now, it is New York that is considered a favorite to reach the NBA Finals, while Boston finds itself in a rebuilding phase.

Trae Young vs. The Garden: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

The passionate fans at Madison Square Garden relish a villain. Reggie Miller admirably filled that role for past generations, and now Trae Young has embraced it for the current era, with his name frequently invoked even when the Hawks are not playing. After Young playfully “rolled the dice” on the court after defeating New York last season, and with Atlanta appearing to be a significant factor in the East for the first time since their 2021 conference finals run (which sent the Knicks home in five games), expect a barrage of jeers directed at the star point guard upon his appearance in Gotham.

Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks

The two teams widely considered favorites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals will kick off the Christmas Day schedule. This matchup also highlights the current star power distribution, as the other eight teams playing on Christmas hail from west of the Mississippi. Nevertheless, this showdown is packed with excitement, featuring Donovan Mitchell against Jalen Brunson and Evan Mobley squaring off with Karl-Anthony Towns. This game will offer an early glimpse into which of these teams holds an advantage in what could be a season-long battle for Eastern Conference supremacy.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder

San Antonio meticulously observed Oklahoma City`s rebuilding process as they embarked on their own, making this matchup a crucial barometer for the Spurs` progress. Before last season, San Antonio hadn`t played on Christmas since 2016. Last year, Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 42 points—the most by a visitor on Christmas at Madison Square Garden—along with 18 rebounds and four blocks in a 117-114 loss to the Knicks. Led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the defending champion Thunder return to the Christmas Day slate for the first time since 2018.

Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

While the fan reception may not replicate the emotional pageantry of Klay Thompson`s initial return to San Francisco, the dynamic of Thompson playing against the Warriors will always possess a unique and amplified quality, particularly at Chase Center. The league strategically placed this matchup on a showcase stage, also providing a Christmas Day debut for rookie Cooper Flagg.

Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James`s first Christmas Day game as a Laker in 2018 featured a matchup against Kevin Durant, and now, these two all-time greats will face each other again to headline the holiday festivities. Much has changed since their last encounter, with Durant moving from the Warriors to the Nets, then the Suns, and now the Rockets. James has remained in Los Angeles, but his coaching staff has seen transitions from Luke Walton to Frank Vogel, Darvin Ham, and now JJ Redick. Interestingly, Durant`s former coach in Brooklyn, Steve Nash, is now James`s podcast co-host on `Mind the Game.` What remains consistent is the elite production from both players. Durant, 36, averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season. James, 40, averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in his 22nd campaign.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets

A visit from Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves might not feel like much of a Christmas gift for Nikola Jokic`s Nuggets. The Timberwolves have dominated their rivals in their last five encounters, a winning streak that dates back to Minnesota`s historic road comeback in Game 7 of the 2024 Western Conference semifinals. Despite Jokic`s impressive 61-point triple-double in Denver`s most recent meeting with Minnesota, it wasn`t enough to secure a victory in a double-overtime classic.

MVP Showdown: Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets

The two most recent MVPs, who collectively account for four of the last five awards, have developed an intriguing rivalry despite playing different positions. Their teams met in back-to-back games in Oklahoma City last March; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 40 points in a blowout win on the first night, with Nikola Jokic responding with a 35-point, 18-rebound performance the following game. Gilgeous-Alexander not only claimed his first MVP title but also triumphed in the seven-game playoff series between their teams en route to the championship. With Jokic`s Nuggets adding reinforcements this summer, this encounter promises a more balanced contest.

Flagg vs. Luka: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks

Every Lakers-Mavericks game is expected to offer significant intrigue for years to come, but this season features a couple of notable firsts. All eyes will be on the initial matchup between Cooper Flagg, Dallas`s No. 1 draft pick, and Luka Doncic, the franchise`s former star. It`s easy to envision the palpable buzz in the arena as Doncic faces Flagg on a switch and initiates his signature dribbling sequence to set up a step-back three-pointer. Additionally, the Mavericks` game in Los Angeles will mark Anthony Davis`s first appearance there since last season`s trade, as he missed Dallas`s Crypto.com Arena game in February due to an adductor strain.

Flagg vs. Wemby & Harper: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks

Mark October 22 on your calendars for one of the most compelling opening-week matchups. Top draft picks Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper will make their NBA debuts against each other, in what the league undoubtedly hopes will reignite the Mavericks-Spurs rivalry. This game also marks Victor Wembanyama`s first regular-season appearance since his blood-clot scare ended his 2024-25 season. With both Dallas and San Antonio aiming for playoff contention, this game holds significant importance.

Chet vs. Wemby Part III: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

These burgeoning stars have faced off four times in their careers, with Holmgren holding a 3-1 advantage. Their last matchup saw the Thunder big man significantly limit Wembanyama to career lows in points (6) and field goals (1). Expect the on-court intensity between these ultracompetitive slim towers to belie their efforts to downplay this individual matchup. Wembanyama edged Holmgren for Rookie of the Year in 2023-24, but Holmgren was the first to claim championship hardware. Wembanyama`s most recent win against OKC (February 29, 2024) snapped a five-game losing streak against the Thunder.

Rutgers Teammates Face Off: Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs

Former college teammates Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper will face each other as opponents for the first time on December 27, having both been selected in the top five on draft night. While it`s difficult to guarantee a visually stunning game—as the Jazz will likely be vying for lottery picks again this season—Bailey`s scoring prowess and Harper`s playmaking skills suggest significant star potential in the long run. For those invested in the future of the league, this game is a must-watch (and don`t forget Victor Wembanyama will be on the court too!).

Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James has generally found success as a visiting player in Cleveland, holding a 9-3 record with the Heat and Lakers while averaging 31.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Last season marked one of his rare defeats, as the Cavaliers decisively beat L.A. 134-110 en route to a 64-win season—the only time the franchise surpassed 60 wins without James on the roster. He and the Lakers will visit Cleveland in late January in a game that both teams hope features two contenders. More significantly, it could be one of James`s final games played in his home region of Northeast Ohio.

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets

Thus far, the NBA`s best defensive player has struggled to contain the league`s best offensive player in their matchups. Nikola Jokic has averaged an impressive 36.8 points in six games against Victor Wembanyama, including 41 and 46 points on back-to-back nights in their most recent encounters in January (though on more shot attempts than Jokic typically takes). Can Wembanyama, in his third season, do a better job containing Jokic? Or will Jokic maintain his significant lead over the budding star, who is nine years his junior?