The schedule for the upcoming NBA season has been released. Between the return of the NBA In-Season Tournament and the regular season, there is plenty to look forward to. Here are my top 5 dates and games I have circled on my calendar:

NBA Opening Night

The NBA season kicks off with the Boston Celtics Championship ring ceremony. After a campaign that saw them go from start to finish as the favorites, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are out to make a point. Somehow both Tatum and Brown were low key disrespect by team USA. You can assure thats going to be extra motivation  to go back to back for the current NBA Champions. 

First one’s on the list are revamped New York Knicks. Who were very busy during the off-season. They traded for Mikal Bridges and resigned OG Anunoby in two of the biggest moves of the summer. Immediately creating a formidable contender and threat to the Celtics.  Opening night on October 22nd will give us a glimpse of where they both stand.

Western Conference Finals Rematch

The Dallas Mavericks pulled what I consider to be a huge upset the last time these teams met. Stopping the run Anthony Edwards and the Wolves were on. The media was too busy labeling Edwards as the “Face of the NBA” and his team the favorites to come out of the West. But Luka Doncic and the Mavericks had other plans.

Now they meet again in what seems to be the next phase of a new and refreshing NBA rivalry. The media can try to fight it as much as they like but Luka has a say in their agenda. Both Superstars have a chance to make their statement for the title “Face of the NBA”. The battle for that distinction continues on October 29. 

Old Friends

Paul George left his hometown for greener pastures in the East Coast. When I say greener pastures I’m referring to the Benjamins kind. 

Something the Clippers have been spending a lot of on their new home. Maybe that had something to do with their unwillingness to keep George. He will visit the new arena on November 6th and give his old team a reminder of who they let walk. 

The 76ers are in a good place on paper. But realistically this feels like a lot more of the same for George with the Clippers. A well constructed team that will be at the mercy of two injury prone superstars. The big difference is Philly has Tyrese Maxey. Will that be enough to get them out of the second round?

Day 1 of the NBA Cup

For Warriors fans still feeling a little blue because of Klay Thompson. They won’t have to wait long to see him. He’ll be back to the bay within the first month of the season. Joined by his new friends, Luka, Kyrie and The Dallas Mavericks. A game that will be full of emotions is guaranteed to bring out the best of both teams. A game with something to play for is a great way to showcase this reunion.

But that’s not all, we have a double header. A rematch of the tightly contested playoffs series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. Booth teams had a great off-season and this is an early opportunity to test the new rosters against another contender in the conference. Last year’s playoff series was so close the Knicks only outscored the Sixers by 1 point over 6 games.

The first day of the NBA Cup will give us a a glimpse of where all four teams stand.

Christmas Day

The Christmas day games will all be bangers! The Knicks will start off the day playing Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Followed by a rematch of the Western Conference Finals between the Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards and Luka will add another chapter to their very young rivalry. Christmas day is usually reserved for the biggest names in the league. The perfect opportunity to earn your spot amongst the greats of the game.

Then the 76ers will visit the NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics. In their first matchup of the season. The Sixers and their new line up will get to see as to where they stand in the Eastern Conference. What better way to test your team than the defending champions. I mentioned the biggest names earlier and it doesn’t get bigger than these two. The classic matchup of the crème de la crème, Lebron James and Steph Curry. The Lakers will play the new look Warriors in what is sure to be a fun game between the two brightest stars in the Association.

The three time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will finish the night against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. If the Suns are going to stick to their “big three” this game could be a tell on their fates depending on how the game goes.

It’s crazy to think that most of these games happen before the year even ends. This season will be one for the books with story lines and developing rivalries. The future of the NBA is taking center stage and I’m all for it.