After weeks of speculation, the NBA’s Opening Night games for the 2024-25 season have officially been released. In a post on X, The Athletic’s Shams Charania revealed that the upcoming NBA season will begin on October 22, 2024. According to Charania, the reigning champion Boston Celtics will host the New York Knicks in the first game of the season. Additionally, Charania says that the other matchup will be the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Opening Night of the 2024-25 NBA season on TNT October 22, per sources:
🏀 Knicks at Celtics, ring night
🏀 Timberwolves at Lakers pic.twitter.com/RGWFglVZ9F— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 12, 2024
Opening Night Games for 2024-25 NBA Season Revealed
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
In Boston’s first game of their title defense, they will face a divisional rival in the Knicks. Interestingly, this is the second consecutive season that both teams will begin their season against each other. Last year, the Celtics defeated the Knicks in Madison Square Garden by a score of 108-104. At the time, the Celtics were rolling out their new-look squad with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday now in the mix. Fast forward a year later, the Knicks are the team showcasing their new roster.
This offseason, the Knicks acquired wing Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in a shocking trade. Additionally, they signed veteran Cameron Payne and four-year pro Chuma Okeke. On the flip side, they traded Bojan Bogdanovic to acquire Bridges. Furthermore, they lost Alec Burks and Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. However, despite their losses, the Knicks should be one of the most exciting teams to watch next season.
As the top-two seeds in the Eastern Conference last season, the Celtics and Knicks are poised to be legitimate title contenders again this season. Additionally, it would be a surprise to nobody if they matched up in the Eastern Conference Finals next year.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Lakers and Timberwolves should be an entertaining matchup. Minnesota took the NBA world by storm last season, finishing as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Additionally, they made it all the way to the conference finals for the first time since 2004. Despite ultimately losing to the Dallas Mavericks in five games, the Timberwolves proved they are a serious threat in the conference. Led by their trio of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, Minnesota was one of the best teams in the league last season.
As for Los Angeles, the 2023-24 season was disappointing. Despite making it to the conference finals in 2023, the Lakers barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed last season. Furthermore, they ended up losing in the first round to the Denver Nuggets. However, things should look different for the Lakers next season. Despite making minimal roster moves, the Lakers made headlines by drafting Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft. Additionally, there is a new head coach for the Lakers following the hiring of former NBA guard JJ Redick.
This is another exciting matchup for the Opening Night slate for next season.
