The NBA has tipped off its 2025-26 schedule release presented by Ticketmaster, unveiling an action-packed Opening Night, Christmas Day, and MLK Day slate.
The season opens October 21 on NBC and Peacock, with the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrating their 2024-25 championship and facing Kevin Durant’s revamped Houston Rockets. Later, LeBron James begins a record-breaking 23rd season as his Los Angeles Lakers host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Opening week continues with ESPN doubleheaders on October 22 and 23, plus the season’s first Peacock exclusives on October 27.
Christmas Day features five marquee matchups on ABC and ESPN, including the Cavaliers visiting the Knicks, the Spurs challenging the defending champion Thunder, the Mavericks taking on the Warriors, the Rockets meeting the Lakers, and the Timberwolves battling the Nuggets.
On January 19, the NBA celebrates the 40th edition of its MLK Day showcase with four nationally televised matchups across NBC and Peacock, headlined by Bucks vs. Hawks, Thunder vs. Cavaliers, Mavericks vs. Knicks, and Celtics vs. Pistons.
The league will continue to reveal more key dates throughout the week, giving fans plenty to mark on their basketball calendars before the season tips off.