No. 11 Jaylen Brunson/Photo Courtesy of Erik Drost/Wiki
The NBA schedule was released on Thursday, and after an exciting 2023-24 season, teams are gearing up for a potential championship run. There are some interesting matchups in the upcoming season, and with some big players joining new teams, there are a few games worth keeping an eye on. Here are five must watch games in the 2024-25 season.
1.) New York Knicks at Boston Celtics (October 22)
The Boston Celtics won the championship last season after beating the Dallas Mavericks 4-1. The Celtics were contenders for the past few years, and made the NBA Finals in the past. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in their first finals appearance, but this time around, they took care of business. The 2024-25 season begins on October 22, and the Celtics and the New York Knicks are the first game of the season. The Celtics will get their championship rings that night, and their Atlantic Division rival will look to spoil their evening. The Knicks fought hard in their last playoff run. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a seven game series, but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round. The Knicks were active early in the offseason. They brought in Mikal Bridges, retained OG Anunoby and they gave Jalen Brunson an extension. The Knicks are looking to compete, and this game would be a great opportunity to see where they stand.
2.) Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers (November 6)
The Philadelphia 76ers made one of the biggest moves in the offseason, as they brought in Paul George. The Sixers are a stronger team (on paper), and early in the season, they have a challenge in Los Angeles. Their matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers will be George’s first game in Los Angeles in a new uniform. The Clippers still have Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, who could keep them afloat in the Western Conference. The matchup between both teams could set the tone for the rest of their season.
3.) Mavericks at Golden State (November 12)
The “Splash Brothers” made an impact in the league in their time together. They won multiple championships, and they set records. The offseason had some big moves, but the biggest move was arguably the departure of Klay Thompson. Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks, which means he will play alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks needed a boost on the offensive end during the finals, and Thompson could provide just that. The Golden State Warriors and the Mavericks will both look much different this season, and Thompson’s first game against the Warriors will be worth watching.
4.) Suns at Timberwolves (November 17)
The Minnesota Timberwolves put the league on notice last season, and their playoff run started off with a bang. The Timberwolves swept the Phoenix Suns, and went on to reach the Western Conference finals. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has mentioned that Kevin Durant is his favorite player, and he got the upper hand on Durant in that series. This matchup is a chance for the Suns (with their trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal) to get a bit of revenge towards the beginning of the season.
5.) Minnesota at Dallas (December 25)
The Timberwolves were nearly in the NBA Finals, but the Mavericks defeated them in the WCF. The Mavericks kept their composure and managed to reach the finals. Christmas games are some of the most fun games of the season, and this matchup has the potential to be something special as Edwards and the Timberwolves look to get another win over Doncic, Irving and now Thompson.
The season is getting closer, and in due time, fans will get a chance to see these teams in action.
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