The 2025/26 NBA season will tip off on October 21 with a pair of Western Conference matchups, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).
The Rockets will go up against the 2024 title-winning Thunder to open the evening, followed by the Warriors at the Lakers.
This means Kevin Durant, on the new-look Rockets, will be heading to Oklahoma City on the night the Thunder receive their championship rings. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry will go up against LeBron James for the 57th time in their careers.
While the Mavericks were not tapped with an opening night game, Marc Stein of the Stein Line reports (via Twitter) that their season will start on October 22 against the Spurs in what is sure to be a much-anticipated showdown between this year’s No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg and 2023’s top pick Victor Wembanyama, as well as this year’s No. 2 selection Dylan Harper.
Stein also notes (via Twitter) that the league has announced that group play for the NBA Cup will take place between October 31 and November 28 this season.
I absolutely love the league doing that to KD
He’ll be ok .. will still bring some thunder
Every year the league trying to promote a Curry and Lebron rivalry which there is not. If you are going to have the 2 best teams in the west you should do the same for the 2 best east teams.
Should be decent games. I’ll watch.
KD will be out “injured”
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
Says the guy who has been begging and crying for KD. For the last two years. Truly a “FankenStein”
NBC this year. Been a long time opening night has been on regular Tv….. not since 2002. NBC
link to sports.yahoo.com
Good news, IMO
KD will remind everyone why he is considered the best scorer of his generation.
Should be fun . …..
Rockets are a true contender this year. Only the first game. Both teams will want to look good.
Lakers have a new team. Be good to see two playoff teams going at it. I always liked Ayton. Seems he doesn’t have the Mamba Mentality. Something fans can’t really see for years. At 26 yrs old. He still has a chance to level up. Can make a big difference for Lakers. With a big year.
So what app is it suppose to be since TNT use to do opening?
NBC Peacock app.
Oh thank you. I will probably just pass on a good amount of games. Think the app focus will hurt NBA like how Prime is suppose to have a conference final. NFL only forces app on Thursday. I know there are other ways though.