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In recent years, the release of the NBA schedule has transformed from a single day event into what seems like an entire week of excitement. Between the games on Opening Night, the Christmas Day lineup, significant Emirates NBA Cup Group Play matchups, and the Martin Luther King holiday clashes, which have already been announced for optimal marketing effect, it resembles a festive “12 Days of Christmas.”
Even with Thursday’s official schedule unveiling, there are still plenty of surprises in store (not that the NBA needs more excitement). Only 29 out of the 1,231 regular-season games (including the championship game, or Game 83, for the two contending teams) were revealed earlier in the week.
Here are eight standout games from the newly released schedule that showcase fascinating matchups, established or emerging rivalries, and some intriguing storylines to watch:
The Oklahoma City matchup is where the Lakers aspire to be each season, opening as reigning NBA champions. It’s always an excellent opportunity to measure oneself against formidable opponents, and we should cherish every chance to witness LeBron and Luka go head-to-head against SGA and his team. The last time these squads clashed in the playoffs was back in 2012, making these encounters all the more exciting.
When last we saw the Nuggets and Lakers in action, it was a pressure-filled Game 7 in the conference semifinals that unraveled quickly. Denver experienced a painful 109-67 defeat despite a promising start, trailing by just 10 points in the first quarter before suffering a 32-point loss. The Nuggets believe they’ve bolstered their roster around perennial Kia MVP contender Nikola Jokić, adding players like Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, and Jonas Valančiūnas to help close the competitive gap.
It’s puzzling that this matchup wasn’t scheduled for opening week, Christmas Day, or at least highlighted during the MLK celebrations. Has the NBA community moved on so swiftly from the stunning February trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis? Absolutely not. Dallas fans were understandably upset by the trade until fortune smiled upon them and they landed Cooper Flagg. Seeing the new Luka take on his former team never loses its allure.
When these teams face off in Atlanta, it’s a thrilling contest, but the energy changes significantly when Trae Young and his crew head to Madison Square Garden. Before Tyrese Haliburton ruffled Knicks fans in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Young was the player drawing parallels to Reggie Miller, embodying a new brand of rivalry that targeted not just the New York team but the entire building. The Hawks have reloaded this offseason, aspiring to eclipse the Knicks as the little engine that could.
With a youthful, salary-cap friendly roster and an abundance of draft assets, Oklahoma City seems well-equipped to dominate the Western Conference for years ahead. Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are holding their own championship ambitions close. Some significant members of the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the prime of their careers and aren’t willing to wait for the Thunder’s moment to arrive. After back-to-back trips to the West Finals, the Timberwolves must either push through or retract.
In the 42 years that the Lakers and Clippers have coexisted in Los Angeles, it’s rare for both teams to simultaneously chase high playoff seeds and extended postseason runs. Yet, they enter the season as top contenders in the West, with the Lakers benefiting from a highly motivated Dončić and a still-vibrant LeBron James defying the twilight of his career. The Clippers, on the other hand, boast incredible depth, adding Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and Brook Lopez to a squad that matched its LA counterpart with 50 wins and possesses a far superior defensive capability.
Who will rise in the East? Both franchises believe they have a chance, especially with the Celtics, Pacers, and Bucks likely taking steps back. The Magic were poised to make a leap last season before injuries hindered their progress and offensive flow. Their defense stands shoulder-to-shoulder with that of title contenders, so Coach Jamahl Mosley must find a way to shift the focus while Franz Wagner fine-tunes his shooting. The Pistons showed marked improvement, tripling their win total year over year thanks to a deep, developing roster and MVP hopeful Cade Cunningham at the helm.
The Texas triangle seems poised for a resurgence, possibly revisiting the days when San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas each regularly racked up 50+ wins (averaging 59 in 2006-07, for instance). Such a competitive landscape made for grueling extended road trips for opponents. While we can’t feature all three teams on the same court, the upcoming game between the up-and-coming Rockets and dynamic Spurs is certainly one to watch.
Looking for a must-see matchup? This annual exhibition has often disappointed over the past decade and at times has been far from competitive, lacking intensity and defensive effort from the league’s top stars on its most significant midseason stage. However, NBA TV’s “Hardwood Classics” screenings of vintage All-Star Games showcase true competitive spirit, born from rivalries and deep passion for the game. If a potential U.S. versus World format revives that fierce spirit, the 75th edition can address many longstanding issues with the All-Star Game.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach out to him here, check out his archive here, and follow him on X.
