In an exciting announcement, the NBA has unveiled the full schedule for the highly anticipated 2024-25 season. The regular season is set to kick off on October 22nd, as the Boston Celtics, reigning champions, take on the New York Knicks in a thrilling showdown at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. The evening will also feature a clash between Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Edwards, when the Minnesota Timberwolves face off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

The first week of the regular season, known as the @Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024, will showcase a total of 11 national television games, including two doubleheaders on NBAonTNT and ESPNNBA, as well as a tripleheader on NBATV. This exciting lineup aims to captivate viewers and set the tone for an action-packed season.

The following day, on October 23rd, fans can look forward to a thrilling 10-game schedule, with the Milwaukee Bucks and their MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo taking on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in an electrifying matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers will make history as they compete in the first game at the brand-new Intuit Dome at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The NBA scheduling process is designed to highlight the teams and players that are expected to create the most buzz and attract the largest audience. National television games are key indicators of the league's and its broadcast partners' perception of the most relevant teams and star players for the particular season.

The NBA will commence the 2024-25 season with a highly anticipated matchup between two historic franchises, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, as the Celtics receive their championship rings. The Lakers will also be in the spotlight as they host the Timberwolves, pitting LeBron James against the talented young star, Anthony Edwards.

While some teams may have had a challenging previous season, they still receive significant national television exposure. The San Antonio Spurs, despite winning just 22 games last season, will appear on national TV 13 times, demonstrating the league's belief in their potential. The Celtics will feature in 26 national TV games, while the Lakers and the Knicks will have 29 and 24 appearances, respectively.

Another exciting event on the NBA calendar is the NBA Cup, which starts on November 12th and culminates in the final on December 17th in Las Vegas. This year, the tournament will only feature 80 games per team, with the remaining two games scheduled between December 10th-16th based on group play outcomes.

The NBA has strategically scheduled marquee games on Christmas Day, providing fans with exceptional matchups. The day will kick off with the San Antonio Spurs, led by emerging superstar Victor Wembanyama, facing off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This will be followed by a classic rivalry clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics.

On Christmas Day, fans will be treated to a highly-anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, featuring superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The day's lineup concludes with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Dallas Mavericks, giving rising star Anthony Edwards the opportunity to battle against Luka Dončić.

While the NBA faces competition from NFL games scheduled on Christmas, the league remains optimistic that primetime games will garner significant viewership. With the NFL games being exclusively available on Netflix rather than traditional broadcast TV, the NBA expects its marquee matchups to draw considerable attention.

This season, teams will have an average of 14.9 back-to-back games, slightly increased from the previous season but significantly lower than a decade ago. The NBA has made efforts to avoid scheduling high-profile national TV games for teams on the second night of back-to-back games. Notably, teams playing on Christmas Day and other special occasions will have rest days before and after those games.

As fans eagerly await the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the release of the full schedule has generated excitement and anticipation. With a lineup of marquee matchups, national television games, and the highly-anticipated NBA Cup, basketball enthusiasts are in for a thrilling season of non-stop action on the court.