The NBA has begun releasing its official schedule for the 2025-26 season, dropping details on marquee matchups and broadcast plans to start building excitement.

While the full calendar is expected imminently, fans can already mark key dates that promise thrilling basketball and star-studded showdowns. Here is everything known so far about the NBA’s upcoming slate.

Opening Night Set for October 21, 2025

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, with a thrilling opener featuring the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets.

This game will showcase the Thunder raising their first-ever championship banner and highlights rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander facing off against new Rockets superstar Kevin Durant.

Following the season opener, several games will continue that week, including a notable Western Conference clash between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, featuring elite talents Stephen Curry and LeBron James. These opening weeks are already shaping up as some of the most captivating early-season action to watch.

Christmas Day 2025: A Showcase of Star Power

The NBA’s tradition of Christmas Day games continues in 2025 with five nationally broadcast games scheduled. The lineup features coast-to-coast appeal starting at noon Eastern Time:

• Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
• San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
• Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
• Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves

Fans can expect thrilling matchups such as Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers visiting the Knicks in Madison Square Garden and Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs taking on the Thunder. The Lakers and Rockets game, featuring LeBron James and Kevin Durant, will headline primetime, ensuring high viewership and intense competition.

The evening ends with a Pacific Northwest showdown between Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets and the Timberwolves, adding playoff implications to the holiday spectacle.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Other Noteworthy Dates

The NBA will also spotlight MLK Day on Monday, January 20, 2026, with a lineup showcasing several marquee teams and players.

Expect high-profile games involving the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Boston Celtics — all featuring significant storylines and playoff positioning implications.

Schedule Release and Future Announcements

The NBA has revealed 17 games so far, focusing on national TV matchups and landmark dates, with the full schedule expected soon, likely finalized by Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Two games remain with dates and opponents to be confirmed as part of the Emirates NBA Cup, an in-season tournament designed to add competitive intrigue beyond the regular season and playoffs.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the league continues to unveil the full 82-game season for each team, providing a comprehensive view of rivalries, travel footnotes, and prime-time windows. The season’s opening weeks and holiday games, however, already set a tone of high stakes and star-driven excitement to carry the NBA through 2025-26.