Thunder, Rockets, Lakers, Warriors Scheduled for Opening Night

The NBA will open its 2025-26 season on October 21 with two Western Conference matchups, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The night begins with the Houston Rockets visiting the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. That means Kevin Durant, now part of Houston’s new-look roster, will be back in Oklahoma City on the same night the Thunder receive their championship rings.

Game two features Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. It will be the 57th career meeting between the two future Hall of Famers, a rivalry that has helped define the last decade of basketball.

The Dallas Mavericks will not be part of opening night. Instead, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports their season will begin October 22 against the San Antonio Spurs. That game is expected to draw plenty of attention with top overall pick Cooper Flagg facing last year’s No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama, and this year’s No. 2 pick, Dylan Harper.

We also have the full list of Christmas Day games for you here.

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