NBA schedule highlights: Important dates, can't-miss games

It's time for NBA fans to start circling dates on their calendars and set a 68-day countdown. The regular season can't come soon enough.

The NBA released its regular season schedule on Thursday, jam-packed with 1,200 games for what should be another enthralling year of hoops. (If that math doesn't check out, it's because only 80 of each team's 82 games were announced, with the final two matchups still to be determined based on NBA Cup play.)

Some key dates and matchups were already announced beforehand, such as the always-stacked Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day slates. International games in Mexico City (Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards on Nov. 2) and Paris (San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers on Jan. 23 and 25) were also announced ahead of time.

NBA.com has a full listing of the regular season schedule, but here's a quick run-down of the key dates and most intriguing games for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Media Day: Sept. 30
Start of pre-season: Oct. 4
NBA Canada Series: Oct. 4 and 6
Start of regular season: Oct. 22
NBA Mexico City Game: Nov. 2
Beginning of Emirates NBA Cup: Nov. 12
Emirates NBA Cup knockout stage: Dec. 10-14
Emirates NBA Cup Championship: Dec. 17
NBA Christmas Day: Dec. 25
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 20
NBA Rivals Week: Jan. 21-25
NBA Paris Games: Jan. 23 and 25
NBA Trade Deadline: Feb. 6
NBA All-Star Weekend: Feb. 14-16
End of regular season: April 13
Play-In Tournament: April 15-18
NBA Playoffs begin: April 19

Opening night

Oct. 22 — New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET

As usual, the NBA season begins with a ceremony as the Boston Celtics will hang their record 18th championship banner in the decorated rafters of TD Garden and will receive their championship rings. But more intriguing is the start of what could be a proper re-ignition of an old rivalry as the new-look Knicks seem poised to be Boston's primary threat to contention in the East.

Oct. 22 — Minnesota Timberwolves @ L.A. Lakers at 10 p.m. ET

Who better to get things rolling than LeBron James, the long-time face of the league who's set to enter the 22nd year of his timeless career. Opposite him will be a player potentially poised to carry that mantle for years to come, as the always-electric Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves will look to replicate their breakout seasons and re-assert themselves as a top dog out West. We'll also see J.J. Reddick's coaching debut and the much-anticipated LeBron and Bronny James father-son tandem.

Opening week highlights

Oct. 23 — Milwaukee Bucks @ Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET

The 76ers made perhaps the move of the off-season, recruiting Paul George to form a veritable big-three in Philadelphia alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Their first test comes right away as they take on a hungry Milwaukee Bucks desperate to bounce back after a first-round playoff exit.

Oct. 23 — Phoenix Suns @ L.A. Clippers at 10 p.m. ET

Though the matchup might not be what it once was with Paul George now in Philadelphia, the opening of the brightest and freshest arena in sports at the Intuit Dome should be a sight unto itself. Watching Kevin Durant take on Kawhi Leonard is also always a worthwhile way to pass the time.

Oct. 24 — San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET

Year-two Victor Wembanyama should be appointment viewing. An opening game against Western Conference champs Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in a good old Texas rivalry just makes it even better.

Oct. 25 — Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET

A budding rivalry between star point guards Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson will take centre stage in a rematch of one of the most electric series from last year's playoffs.

Oct. 25 — Phoenix Suns @ L.A. Lakers at 10 p.m. ET

A summer team-up between Kevin Durant and LeBron James was a beautiful sight, but it's time to get back to the two stars going head-to-head. With both players nearing the tail ends of their careers, who knows how many more times we'll get to see this matchup. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Rivals Week highlights

Jan. 21 — Philadelphia 76ers @ Denver Nuggets at 10 p.m. ET

Nothing quite like a heavyweight bout. Embiid and Nikola Jokic are still the best two bigs in the league, and though the former tends to miss these games every once in a while, the two squaring off should always be appointment viewing. Bragging rights are on the line.

Jan. 23 — Boston Celtics @ L.A. Lakers at 10 p.m. ET

The most storied rivalry in basketball is due for another chapter. Boston, coming off the high of a tie-breaking championship, will be looking to rub it in the Lakers' faces as the legacy-filled franchises square up for their first of two matchups this season.

Jan. 25 — Denver Nuggets @ Minnesota Timberwolves at 3 p.m. ET

The Nuggets and Timberwolves are familiar foes after squaring off in the post-season the past two seasons, with Minnesota getting the upper hand following a thrilling seven-game series. Sparks will fly in this budding rivalry.

Jan. 25 — Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks at 5:30 p.m. ET

What's better than an NBA Finals rematch? This will be the first of two rematches between the Mavericks and Celtics this season and Dallas will surely be looking for redemption following the gentleman's sweep back in June.

Revenge Games (and homecomings)

Oct. 25 — Detroit Pistons @ Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. ET

Players aren't the only targets for revenge games. Former Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is set to head back to Cleveland after his dismissal following a second-round playoff exit. It was a bizarre ending in Cleveland and it begs wondering if it spills over into this early-season matchup.

Nov. 6 — Philadelphia 76ers @ L.A. Clippers at 10 p.m. ET

It was a somewhat unceremonious stint in Los Angeles when it comes to hardware, but Paul George is still one of the best players to wear the Clippers colours. Now, alongside a new big-three in Philadelphia, it should be interesting to see what kind of welcome he gets back in California. A matchup between James Harden and his former 76ers teammates should also be one to watch.

Nov. 12 — Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET

There might not be a dry eye in Chase Center on this Tuesday night. One of Golden State's prodigal sons, half of the 'Splash Brothers' and a surefire future jersey retiree Klay Thompson heads back to the Bay. His tribute video may just get an Oscar nod.

Jan. 12 — Sacramento Kings @ Chicago Bulls at 3:30 p.m. ET

One of the more underrated moves of the off-season came when the Sacramento Kings landed DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team sign-and-trade deal. The former Raptors star will now look to get back at his old team and prove that he can be a big part of a winning club.

Jan. 21 — New York Knicks @ Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET

Mikal Bridges got himself a pretty sweet deal. Traded by the Nets — a franchise seemingly confused about direction — to the crosstown rival Knicks to pair up with former teammates and create the 'Nova Knicks.' The Knicks could really assert their 'big brother' dominance over Brooklyn in this one.

March 31 — Chicago Bulls @ Oklahoma City Thunder at 8 p.m. ET

The Thunder made the bold decision to move on from former sixth-overall pick Josh Giddey in exchange for defensive stud Alex Caruso. The creative Australian playmaker may want to show his former team what they gave up on by shipping him to Chicago.

Rookie showcases

Oct. 28 — Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET

No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr go head-to-head for the first time in their young careers in what could be a blooming rivalry in the Southeast Division.

Nov. 10 — Memphis Grizzlies @ Portland Trail Blazers at 9 p.m. ET

Zach Edey, who looked excellent in Summer League before being injured, will go for some revenge against Trail Blazers centre Donovan Clingan. Going back to March Madness, Edey's Purdue Boilermakers lost to Clingan's UConn Huskies in the National Championship game.

Dec. 19 — Atlanta Hawks @ San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET

The last two No. 1 overall picks Risacher and Wembanyama face off for the first time and give fans a taste of the potential French dominance to come.

Feb. 5 — Memphis Grizzlies @ Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET

Edey finally takes the court in his hometown as the Grizzlies head north to take on the Raptors in what should be a packed house welcoming the Toronto-born big man.