Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (left), Jalen Williams and the rest of the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder will be part of NBA opening night on Oct. 21.

Maybe it's the first game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in late November, or the rivalry match when the Los Angeles Lakers visit in early December.

The Star Tribune graded the best of NBA schedule release day... The best videos are original and playfully tweak opponents. And just like when training camp starts, you can tell who put in the work.

Oct. 31 - Group Play begins Nov. 28 - Group Play concludes Dec. 13 - Semifinals (Las Vegas, NV) Dec. 16 - Championship (Las Vegas, NV)

One bet are the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. Both matchups in the 2025-26 regular season will be shown on national television. Even though they had the same expectations for last year's NBA Finals, it looks like the schedule-makers are willing to look past the latter's shortcomings.

The Sacramento Kings enter the 2025-26 season not as the hunters they once were, but as a team drifting in the middle of the pack. Last year’s 40-42 finish felt like a warning, and the front office’s decision to pivot toward aging scorers rather than doubling down on youth development has left the franchise in limbo.

Last season, the Philadelphia 76ers committed to resting two of their biggest stars in back-to-back games. This season, they're tied for the most back-to-backs in the NBA. For the first time since the 2021-22 season, the LA Clippers do not have the most ...

Silver referred to the league as 'very much a highlights-based sport' in response to concerns surrounding the NBA's new national broadcast schedule.

The Jazz enter 2025-26 after a historic collapse. Can they bounce back, or will another season in the West’s basement define their future?

Can the Toronto Raptors improve on last season’s 30-52 record? Explore 2025-26 season predictions, projected record, and playoff chances.

With its non-conference slate of games finalized, University of Oklahoma Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione