The new edition of the world’s premier basketball league will roll out the red carpet to celebrate its 79th regular season. A groundbreaking and unforgettable start to the campaign is anticipated, featuring four major players gearing up for what is expected to be a spectacular 2025 season. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 22, when the Boston Celtics will unveil their 18th championship banner, following their triumph over the Dallas Mavericks with a stellar performance by the Jaylens, who bested Doncic and Kyrie in just five games (4-1).

Joe Mazzulla’s squad will pop the champagne as they face the New York Knicks in an exciting showdown at TD Garden. The Knicks, having proven themselves as one of the toughest contenders in the Eastern Conference, have a new captain in their star, Jalen Brunson. The Big Apple team aim to be the thorn in the side of the Celtics, who have surpassed the 17 titles held by the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the most successful franchise in history.

Speaking of the devil, or rather the king of California, the LA Lakers have another high-profile clash scheduled. Legendary LeBron James, who has just added his third Olympic gold to his collection, will kick off his 22nd league campaign, tying the record for longevity held by the astonishing Vince Carter. This time, with an exclusive twist: the addition of his son Bronny James as his new teammate, marking the first-ever father-son duo in NBA history.

The Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by the 'reincarnation of Jordan,’ Anthony Edwards. Edwards, another recent Olympic champion from Paris 2024, combines charisma and scoring ability, making him a prime candidate for stardom in the league. With Edwards and a formidable defense anchored by four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and his paint partner Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves promise to challenge the Lakers with a fresh and promising lineup.

The regular season, stretching until April 13, 2025, will feature 82 games per team, as usual. The playoffs are slated to begin on April 19, followed by the NBA Finals starting on June 5. The In-Season Tournament, a new addition that spices up the regular season routine, will commence on November 12 and conclude in December in Las Vegas, adding even more excitement for fans with thrilling matchups.

Noteworthy moments include Paul George’s debut with the Philadelphia 76ers against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 23, and the Los Angeles Clippers' first game at their new home, the Intuit Dome, against the Phoenix Suns. On October 24, Klay Thompson, the new summer acquisition for the Dallas Mavericks, will face the San Antonio Spurs, featuring French prodigy Victor Wembanyama and veteran Chris Paul as the orchestrator for Gregg Popovich’s team.

The Christmas Day games are a fan-favorite highlight. In 2024, five special matchups will take place, including San Antonio vs. New York; Minnesota vs. Dallas; the Lakers vs. Golden State; Philadelphia vs. Boston; and Denver’s MVP Jokic vs. Phoenix’s Booker, Beal, and slender icon Kevin Durant, whose spirits are high following his fourth Olympic gold.

In line with new regulations, the league is encouraging voter participation in the U.S. elections. Hence, no games will be held on November 5, allowing Americans to head to the polls, with all teams playing the day before.

International courts will also be buzzing with excitement. As usual, a delicious menu of thrilling international games is on offer, with matchups in Mexico City between the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards on November 2, and in Paris between Indiana and San Antonio on January 23 and 25, 2025.

Paul George, now with the 76ers, will face his former Clippers teammates on November 6. Klay Thompson will lead the Mavericks to San Francisco on November 12 to play against his former team, the Golden State Warriors, and 'Splash Brother', newly gold medallist, Steph Curry. On December 19, future owners of the destiny of French basketball, Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick from the NBA Draft, will clash in San Antonio, with another game scheduled for February 5 in Atlanta.

Finally, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 16. While Cupid will be busy with Valentine’s Day, he’ll make room in his schedule for fan and television pairings on this special date. The Chase Center in San Francisco will be the stage for a star-studded show featuring the league’s top players.