Having had reservations, I wasn’t sure if the NBA could pull it off once again. But as expected, my favorite league came through with flying colors. All 30 teams now have their 82-game regular-season schedules released, silencing the doubters. Flights and hotels are being booked, and the anticipation for the big games is building up as we circle the dates on our calendars.
Starting November 12, the Emirates NBA Cup, formerly known as the in-season tournament, will kick off. Keep an eye out for the special court designs that will be unveiled. With 35 exciting games on the schedule, here are some matchups that I’m eagerly looking forward to (feel free to share the games you are most excited about in the comments).
(Note: All times are Eastern; national TV info is subject to change.)
Exciting Matchups
First Western Conference finals rematch: Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, TNT
The Mavericks and Timberwolves clashed in the conference finals, setting the stage for an intense rematch. Luka Dončić’s heroics sealed the series last time, but this time, Anthony Edwards and the Wolves are out for revenge. Both teams will be contenders in the loaded conference, making this matchup a must-watch.
First Eastern Conference finals rematch: Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics, 7 p.m. Oct. 30, TNT
Expect a competitive game as the Pacers face the Celtics in a rematch of the conference finals. With both teams aiming for success, this matchup will showcase their determination to establish dominance.
Sixers visit New York: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, 7 p.m. Feb. 26, ESPN
A rivalry full of hate and intensity, the Sixers and Knicks will renew their feud in an eagerly anticipated showdown. Expect sparks to fly in this matchup.
Indiana visits New York: Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, ESPN
Witness the continuation of the Pacers-Knicks rivalry in this highly anticipated game. With both teams seeking to assert their dominance, expect a fierce battle on the court.
NBA Finals rematch: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25, ABC
The Celtics and Mavericks lock horns in a rematch of the NBA Finals, promising an exciting game filled with high stakes and intense competition. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup.
First TiredGate: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 1, ESPN
Get ready for an epic showdown as the Nuggets seek redemption against the Timberwolves in a highly anticipated rematch. Watch out for an intense battle between these two teams.
Let’s Try This Again: Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors, 8:30 p.m. Jan. 18
Witness the highly anticipated clash between the Wizards and Warriors as they face off in a rematch filled with excitement and intense competition. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup.
Familiar Faces in New Places
Paul George returns to LA: Philadelphia 76ers at LA Clippers, 10 p.m. Nov. 6, ESPN
Watch as Paul George returns to face his former team, the Clippers, in a game that promises to be intense and full of emotions. Expect a fierce battle between the 76ers and Clippers in this exciting matchup.
Klay Thompson returns to the Bay: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. Nov. 12, TNT
Experience the emotional return of Klay Thompson to face his former team, the Warriors, in a highly anticipated matchup. Don’t miss this exciting game filled with nostalgia and intense competition.
Chris Paul returns to the Bay: San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. April 9
Witness the return of Chris Paul as he faces the Warriors in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting matchup between the Spurs and Warriors in this highly anticipated game.
#FireBud returns to Milwaukee: Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. April 1
Keep an eye out for the return of Mike Budenholzer to Milwaukee as he leads the Suns against the Bucks in a game filled with intensity and competition. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Suns and Bucks.
DeMar DeRozan returns to Chicago: Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 12
Experience DeMar DeRozan’s return to Chicago as the Bulls face the Kings in a game that promises to be intense and full of drama. Expect a competitive matchup between the Kings and Bulls in this exciting game.
Dejounte Murray returns to Atlanta: New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Watch as Dejounte Murray returns to face his former team, the Hawks, in a highly anticipated game that promises to be intense and full of emotions. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Pelicans and Hawks.
Mikal Bridges returns to Brooklyn: New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, TNT
Experience Mikal Bridges’ return to Brooklyn as the Knicks face the Nets in a game filled with excitement and intense competition. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Knicks and Nets.
Russell Westbrook returns to LA: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 23, NBATV
Get ready for the return of Russell Westbrook as he faces the Lakers in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting matchup between the Nuggets and Lakers in this highly anticipated game.
James Wiseman returns to the Bay: Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. Dec. 23 NBATV
Experience James Wiseman’s return to face his former team, the Warriors, in a highly anticipated game that promises to be intense and full of drama. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Pacers and Warriors.
Fun Team Showdowns
Western titans: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. Dec. 31, NBATV
Don’t miss the exciting matchup between the Timberwolves and Thunder as they face off in a game filled with intense competition and high stakes. Expect a thrilling battle between these two teams in this highly anticipated game.
Eastern titans: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, TNT
Witness the clash between the Knicks and Celtics as they go head-to-head in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting matchup between the Knicks and Celtics in this highly anticipated game.
NorCal supremacy: Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. Jan. 22, ESPN
Get ready for the battle for supremacy as the Warriors face the Kings in a game filled with excitement and intense competition. Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Warriors and Kings.
Florida supremacy: Orlando Magic at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23
Experience the battle for Florida supremacy as the Magic face the Heat in a game that promises to be intense and full of drama. Expect a competitive matchup between the Magic and Heat in this exciting game.
This is still fun: New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies, 5 p.m. Nov. 29, NBATV
Don’t miss the exciting matchup between the Pelicans and Grizzlies as they go head-to-head in a game filled with intense competition and high stakes. Expect a thrilling battle between these two teams in this highly anticipated game.
Play-In positioning? Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26
Watch as the Rockets and Spurs battle it out in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting matchup between the Rockets and Spurs in this highly anticipated game.
Finals preview? Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 5
Keep an eye on this matchup as the Celtics and Thunder face off in a game that could be a preview of the finals. Expect an intense and competitive game between these two teams in this highly anticipated matchup.
Fun Player Showdowns
LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors, 8 p.m. Dec. 25, ABC
Don’t miss the epic showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry as the Lakers take on the Warriors in a game filled with excitement and intense competition. Expect a thrilling battle between these two legendary players in this highly anticipated matchup.
Nikola Jokić vs. Joel Embiid: Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, ESPN
Witness the clash between Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid as the Nuggets face the 76ers in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting matchup between these two big men in this highly anticipated game.
Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, ESPN
Get ready for the showdown between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren as the Spurs take on the Thunder in a game filled with excitement and intense competition. Expect a thrilling battle between these two young prospects in this highly anticipated matchup.
Victor Wembanyama vs. Joel Embiid: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, NBATV
Watch as Victor Wembanyama faces off against Joel Embiid in a game that promises to be intense and full of drama. Expect a competitive matchup between the Spurs and 76ers in this exciting game.
Victor Wembanyama vs. Nikola Jokić: San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. Jan. 3
Experience the clash between Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić as the Spurs take on the Nuggets in a game filled with excitement and intense competition. Expect a thrilling battle between these two players in this highly anticipated matchup.
Anthony Davis vs. Domantas Sabonis: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 26, NBATV
Don’t miss the matchup between Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis as the Kings face the Lakers in a game that promises to be intense and full of rivalry. Expect an exciting battle between these two players in this highly anticipated game.
Rookie Showdowns
Vive la France: Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28
Two French players, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, will go head-to-head when the Wizards meet the Hawks for the first of four matchups. Expect an exciting showdown between these two rookies.
UConn reunion: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs, 8 p.m. Nov. 7
Former NCAA championship teammates Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle will face each other as opponents when the Spurs take on the Trail Blazers. Watch out for this thrilling matchup between the two rookies.
Kentucky reunion: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m. Nov. 26
Former Wildcats teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard will clash on the court when the Rockets face the Timberwolves. Expect an exciting matchup between these two rookies in this highly anticipated game.
Family affair: Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. Dec. 3
Brothers Jalen Williams and Cody Williams will meet on the court when the Jazz take on the Thunder in a game filled with family ties and competitive spirit. Expect a thrilling showdown between these two players.
G League Ignite Memorial: Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. Nov. 18
Former G League Ignite teammates Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland will face off when the Pistons meet the Bulls. Expect an exciting matchup between these two rookies in this highly anticipated game.
NCAA title game reunion: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers, 9 p.m. Nov. 10
Watch as former NCAA championship foes Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan go head-to-head as the Grizzlies take on the Trail Blazers. Expect a fierce battle between these two rookie centers in this thrilling matchup.
(Top photo of Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)