Explore the full NBA schedule 2025–26—opening night matchups, Lakers and Knicks key dates, national TV details, and must-watch games across the season.
NBA Schedule 2025–26: What’s New and What to Watch
The NBA officially dropped its 2025–26 regular-season schedule on August 14, unveiling a star-studded lineup from October 21 through April 12. The league will feature 80 of 82 games determined, with two slots per team set for the NBA Cup results. Expect a full slate of national TV spread across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.
Opening Night: A Doubleheader to Remember
- Tuesday, Oct. 21: The season tips off with not one, but two marquee games:
- Championship rings & banner raising: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
- Lakers vs. Warriors in the late slot, reviving an iconic West rivalry.
This marks the NBA’s return to NBC and debut on Peacock, ending a 23-year absence.
Lakers Schedule Highlight – A Legacy on Display
- The Lakers’ season opener is a high-voltage matchup vs. the Warriors. ([turn0news30], [turn0news33])
- They maintain strong national presence, including likely Christmas Day games and multiple high-profile clashes with Eastern powerhouses.
Knicks Schedule Reveal – Madison Square Garden Showdowns
- The New York Knicks debut under new coach Mike Brown on October 22 as they host the Cavaliers, followed by early key dates like:
- Home games vs Boston Celtics
- Dallas matchups with Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks (Jan. 19)
- Showdowns with Timberwolves and Thunder.
National Coverage Across Platforms
A groundbreaking media rights shift brings these highlights:
| Day of Week | Platform(s) |
|---|---|
| Mondays | Peacock (Peacock NBA Monday) |
| Tuesdays | NBC & Peacock (Coast 2 Coast Tuesday) |
| Wednesdays | ESPN / ESPN App |
| Thursdays | Prime Video |
| Fridays | Prime Video & ESPN |
| Saturdays | Afternoon: Prime Video; Evening: ABC |
| Sundays | Afternoon: ABC; Evening: NBC/Peacock |
Every game will be accessible across major streaming partners.
Season Design Highlights
- NBA Cup: Mid-season group play runs October 31 – December 16, determining two flexible games per team.
- Play-In Tournament: Scheduled for April 14–17, followed immediately by the playoffs.
- Finals Set: NBA Finals begin in June, with Game 1 scheduled for June 4.
Must-Watch Matchups in 2025–26
CBS Sports and others highlight these headliners:
- Durant vs. Thunder on Opening Night
- National Rivalries: Lakers–Clippers, Durant’s return to OKC, Christmas Day rematches
- MLK Day 2026: Four-game quadrupleheader, Thunder vs Cavaliers main event
- Stars in Spotlight: LeBron vs. Doncic, Jokic vs. SGA rematches
- Knicks’ Rival Fixtures: Jaylen Brown’s Celtics, Mitchell’s Cavs showdowns
- NBA Cup Action: Added intensity with tournament context
- Unspoken Gems: Under-the-radar teams like Magic or Pelicans set to break out
Full NBA on Prime 2025-26 schedule… lock it in!
NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmaster https://t.co/WN5TL6Ew1x
— NBA (@NBA) August 14, 2025
How This Impacts the Lakers & Knicks Fans
Lakers
- Showdown opener vs Warriors sets the tone
- National TV boosts exposure—perfect for LeBron in his 23rd season
- Christmas Day and marquee home games anchor the schedule
Knicks
- Strong season launch at MSG
- Matchups against Celtics, Mavericks and playoff-heavy opponents key for playoff outlook
- Prime Video and local broadcast coverage support broad fan reach
Strategic Viewing & Planning Tips
- Mark your calendars: Opening night, Christmas Day, MLK Day, NBA Cup kicks and key summer playoff run
- Streaming guide: Use the new NBA app for live stream redirection across platforms
- Stay flexible: Two games per team TBD pending NBA Cup results—valuable for future planners
- Ticker check: Watch for rivalries, rookie debuts (Cooper Flagg), and return matchups (Durant)