NBA's 2020-2021 season begins as the Rockets face the Thunder on October 21st
The NBA is gearing up for an exciting 2025-26 season, with the regular season set to kick off on October 21, 2025. The opening games promise a thrilling start, as the Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning champions, defend their title against the Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors[1][2][4].
In the first game, the Thunder's Kevin Durant will face his former team, the Rockets, following his recent trade from Phoenix as part of an NBA record seven-team deal[3]. The later game on opening night features star players LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Stephen Curry[1][2].
The second night of the season sees the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting New York[2]. Notably, the Knicks will make their 57th Christmas appearance in a game against Cleveland[5].
Early in the season, there are several notable matchups. San Antonio will play Oklahoma City on December 25, 2025, marking the Thunder's first game against them since 2018. LeBron James will compete in his 23rd NBA season in this game, while Stephen Curry and James will meet for the 57th time in their careers[6].
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson, formerly of the Golden State Warriors, will return to San Francisco with the Dallas Mavericks in a game against the Warriors on December 25, 2025[7]. Minnesota will play Denver on the same day.
On October 24, 2025, Oklahoma City will play Indiana in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals. Denver will also play Golden State, with Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets facing two-time NBA MVP Curry[8].
The NBA has confirmed some contest dates, including its Christmas schedule, for the 2025-26 season. Martin Luther King Jr. Day games on January 19, 2026, will include Milwaukee at Atlanta, Oklahoma City at Cleveland, Dallas at New York, and Boston at Detroit[9].
The San Antonio Spurs will open their season at Dallas on October 22, 2025, with the debuts of top NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg and second choice Dylan Harper. Victor Wembanyama, French star of the San Antonio Spurs, will return after missing the end of last season due to deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder on October 22, 2025[10].
In summary, the 2025-26 NBA season opens October 21, 2025, with Thunder vs. Rockets and Lakers vs. Warriors as the premiere matchups. The regular season will run until April 12, 2026[4].
Kevin Durant's first game with the Oklahoma City Thunder since his trade from Phoenix will be a basketball match against his former team, the Houston Rockets, on October 21, 2025, during the opening night of the NBA season. The NBA's Christmas schedule includes a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 25, 2025, where LeBron James and Stephen Curry will have their 57th career encounter.
