10 must-watch matchups on 2024-25 NBA slate

The NBA released its 2024-25 schedule Thursday, and among the 1,200-plus games on the slate are several standout matchups. Here's a look at 10 of them.

Oct. 22: Ring ceremony in Beantown

The Boston Celtics will receive their championship rings and hoist an NBA-record 18th banner as part of pre-game festivities as Mikal Bridges and the new-look New York Knicks visit on Opening Night. The two Atlantic Division rivals also squared off on Opening Night last season, with the Celtics claiming a 108-104 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Oct. 22: Redick's 1st game as Lakers coach

While the NBA's other monolith celebrates on Opening Night, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves as a new chapter in the former's storied history begins. JJ Redick will be in charge for his first regular-season game as the Lakers' bench boss, his first role as a coach in any capacity outside of his son's youth team. This game could also mark Bronny James' professional debut.

Oct. 23: New-look Sixers welcome Bucks to Philly

If there are two Eastern Conference teams that need to start the upcoming season on a good note, it's the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. Both are coming off first-round exits marred by injuries to their iconic bigs - Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo - and the matchup will be Paul George's first regular-season appearance for the 76ers.

Oct. 23: Clippers host 1st game at Intuit Dome

Tech billionaire Steve Ballmer's Intuit Dome will host its first regular-season game when the Los Angeles Clippers welcome the Phoenix Suns. Formerly co-tenants with the Los Angeles Kings, Lakers, and Sparks, the Clippers now boast their own $2-billion, privately financed 18,000-seater that includes a double-sided Halo Board above the court and three times the number of toilets as the average NBA arena.

Oct. 25: Cavs' home opener has potential for drama

The Cleveland Cavaliers will entertain the Detroit Pistons and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff for a home opener that could be tension-filled. The Cavs fired Bickerstaff in May after four years amid reports of an internal conflict with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Post-dismissal, Bickerstaff also appeared to throw shade at Jarrett Allen, who missed the last eight games of the playoffs due to a rib injury.

Nov. 6: PG13 returns to L.A.

It's unclear what kind of reception California-born George will get upon his return to Los Angeles after characterizing his five-year spell with the Clippers as "I'm on the B team." The nine-time All-Star's quote was more a statement about the team living in the shadow of the Lakers, though a homecoming that will also feature the always-divisive Embiid could make for some drama.

Nov. 12: Klay's back in the Bay Area

On the heels of a celebrated 11-season spell with the Golden State Warriors that included four championships and five All-Star selections, Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Area in a Dallas Mavericks jersey for this highly anticipated reunion. Thompson penned a three-year, $50-million deal with the Mavs in July following a sign-and-trade that was part of an NBA-record six-team transaction.

Dec. 19: French studs tango at The Alamo

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs welcome Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks to town in a clash between the two most recent No. 1 picks. The French invasion continues after Risacher was one of three countrymen selected in the top six in the 2024 NBA Draft, marking the first time in league history that three or more players from outside the U.S. were chosen among the first 10 picks in the same draft.

Dec. 25: Joyeux Noel in San Antonio

Speaking of the Spurs, Gregg Popovich and Co. will participate in their first Christmas Day game since 2016-17 when Wembanyama and newcomer Chris Paul host the Knicks at the Frost Bank Center. The T-Wolves and Mavericks will also meet in Minnesota in a Western Conference finals rematch as part of the annual five-game festive slate.

Jan. 25: Finals rematch in Dallas

The Celtics head to the Lone Star State to face the Mavericks in a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals, which Boston won in five games behind an MVP display from Jaylen Brown. The two sides will also lock horns in Boston on Feb. 6, with Eastern and Western Conference teams playing each other just twice a season under the league's current scheduling format.