The 2024-25 NBA season is set to begin with key events starting in October 2024. Training camps open on October 1, followed by preseason games beginning October 4, including the NBA Abu Dhabi Games featuring the Celtics and Nuggets. The regular season kicks off on October 22, highlighted by the Celtics hosting the Knicks. Significant dates include Christmas Day games on December 25, the NBA Trade Deadline on February 6, and the NBA Finals starting June 5, 2025. The season promises excitement with new rivalries and international games enhancing the league's global appeal.
The Boston Celtics lead the 2024-25 NBA season as the defending champions, starting the season as favorites to repeat their success. They are closely followed by teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers, all with strong championship odds. The regular season kicks off on October 22, 2024, with key matchups including the Knicks visiting the Celtics. As the season progresses, standings will be closely monitored, with teams vying for playoff positions in both conferences.
Here is a list of key dates and important events for the 2024-25 NBA Season:
2024
Oct. 1: NBA Training Camps open
Oct. 4: NBA Preseason games begin
Oct. 4 & 6: NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 (Celtics vs. Nuggets | Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Oct. 6: NBA Canada Series (Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards | Montreal, QC)
Oct. 12-13: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend (Springfield, MA)
Oct. 18: NBA Preseason ends
Oct. 21: Rosters set for NBA Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
Oct. 22: Start of the 2024-25 NBA regular season
Oct. 22-26: Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024
Oct. 26: NBA G League Draft
Oct. 28-Nov. 7: NBA G League Training Camp
Nov. 2: NBA Mexico City Game 2024 (Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards, 9:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV | Mexico City, Mexico)
Nov. 4: All 30 teams in action. First game tips at 7 p.m. ET. All subsequent games will begin 15 minutes apart.
Nov. 5: Election Day (no games)
Nov. 7: Rosters set for NBA G League Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
Nov. 8: NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins
Nov. 12: Emirates NBA Cup begins
Dec. 3: Emirates NBA Cup Group Stage concludes
Dec. 10-11: Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals
Dec. 14: Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals (Las Vegas, NV)
Dec. 17: Emirates NBA Cup Championship (Las Vegas, NV)
Dec. 19-22: NBA G League Winter Showcase
Dec. 25: Christmas Day (12 p.m. ET: Spurs at Knicks, ESPN; 2:30 p.m. ET: Timberwolves at Mavericks, ABC/ESPN; 5 p.m. ET: Sixers at Celtics, ABC/ESPN; 8 p.m. ET: Lakers at Warriors, ABC/ESPN; 10:30 p.m. ET: Nuggets at Suns, ESPN)
Dec. 27: NBA G League 34-game regular season begins
2025
Jan. 5: 10-day contracts may now be signed
Jan. 10: All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season
Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (12 p.m. ET: Mavericks at Hornets, NBA TV; 2:30 p.m. ET: Timberwolves at Grizzlies, TNT; 5 p.m. ET: Celtics at Warriors, TNT)
Jan. 21-25: NBA Rivals Week
Jan. 23 & Jan. 25: NBA Paris Games 2025 (Spurs vs. Pacers | Paris, France – Jan. 23, 2 p.m. ET; Jan. 25, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Feb. 6: NBA Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
Feb 14-16: NBA All-Star 2025 (San Francisco, CA)
Feb. 14-19: NBA All-Star break
March 1: Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline
April 1: NBA G League Playoffs begins
April 11: All 30 teams to play
April 13: NBA Regular Season ends. All 30 teams to play. Seven Eastern Conference games to tip-ff at 1 p.m. ET. The one cross-conference and seven Western Conference games to tip-off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
April 14: Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2025 (3 p.m. ET)
April 15-18: SoFi Play-In Tournament
April 19: NBA Playoffs 2025 begin
May 5-6: Conference Semifinals begin (possible move up to May 3-4)
May TBD: Western Conference Finals games will air on ESPN and/or ABC. Eastern Conference Finals games will air on TNT.
June 5: NBA Finals 2025 presented by YouTube TV begin. All games will be televised on ABC.
2026: Feb. 13-15 in Los Angeles, CA
2027: Feb. 19-21 in Phoenix, AZ
