2025-26 NBA Season Schedule Highlights, Hall of Fame Details, and Updates on the NBA Championship
Get ready, basketball fans! The upcoming 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a packed schedule that includes preseason, regular season, international games, an in-season tournament, All-Star weekend, and postseason action. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.
Preseason
The preseason kicks off on October 2, 2025, with international games in Abu Dhabi. The regular season then begins on October 21, 2025, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Houston Rockets.
Regular Season
The season runs through April 12, 2026, and features several notable international games. On November 1, 2025, the Detroit Pistons will take on the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City (NBA Mexico City Game). On January 15, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Orlando Magic in Berlin, Germany (NBA Berlin Game), and on January 18, the same teams will meet again in London, UK.
Emirates NBA Cup (In-Season Tournament)
The Emirates NBA Cup group play runs from October 31 to November 28, 2025. The knockout rounds begin with quarterfinals on December 9-10, semifinals on December 13, and the championship game on December 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. All games will be streamed live on Prime Video.
Special Events and Key Dates
- The NBA Trade Deadline is on February 5, 2026.
- The NBA All-Star Weekend will take place in Los Angeles from February 13-15, 2026.
- The play-in tournament is scheduled for April 14-17, 2026.
- The playoffs begin on April 18, 2026.
- The NBA Finals start on June 4, 2026, with a potential game 7 on June 21, 2026.
Opening night features some high-profile matchups, including Kevin Durant playing against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and key rivalries such as the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors. The schedule showcases many marquee games, rookies' debuts, and star player reunions throughout the season.
Other Notable Dates
- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend is scheduled for September 5-6, with Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, Danny Crawford, Billy Donovan, the 2008 USA men's national team, and Micky Arison among the inductees.
- Training camp and media day for the remaining 25 teams will be held on September 29.
- The Emirates NBA Cup semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 13.
- The regular season concludes on Apr. 12.
Mark your calendars, basketball fans! The 2025-26 NBA season is sure to be a thrilling ride.
- Fans of basketball should mark their calendars for October 2, 2025, as the preseason kicks off with international games in Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for the highly anticipated 2025-26 NBA season.
- The regular season, running from October 21, 2025, to April 12, 2026, promises exciting matchups, such as Kevin Durant facing his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and key rivalries like the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors.
- During the regular season, sports enthusiasts can catch several international games, including the NBA Mexico City Game, the NBA Berlin Game, and the NBA London Game, providing a diverse and global basketball experience.
- As part of the special events and key dates, basketball fans can look forward to the Emirates NBA Cup group play from October 31 to November 28, 2025, with the championship game scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Las Vegas.
