The Must-See Matchups from the New 2025-26 NBA Schedule
The 2025–26 NBA schedule includes matchups that already stand out—because of who’s returning, who switched teams, or what happened the last time these players shared a court.
Here are some games shaped by rivalry, roster shake-ups, and unfinished business.
Rockets At Thunder – October 21
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Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City, but now he’s on a loaded Rockets team that finished second in the West. The Thunder will raise their championship banner and play their first game as defending titleholders. Houston wants to win and build its roster around matching OKC’s length and pace.
Warriors At Lakers – October 21
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The Lakers added size, shooting, and a new style around Luka Dončić. The Warriors enter the season with uncertainty around their core and limited clarity about Jonathan Kuminga’s role. Steph Curry leads the team, but Golden State hasn’t shown what direction it’s taking. This matchup puts two very different strategies side by side.
Spurs At Mavericks – October 22
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This is the first NBA meeting between the top two picks in the 2025 draft. Cooper Flagg steps into a Mavericks lineup featuring Anthony Davis and Luka Dončić. Meanwhile, Dylan Harper joins Victor Wembanyama in a Spurs system that is figuring out its offensive identity.
Thunder At Pacers – October 23
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Oklahoma City visits Indiana for a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton won’t play, and Myles Turner will be suiting up for Milwaukee. The Pacers still have strong secondary scorers and enough speed to stay competitive. The Thunder kept their title core intact and used the offseason to strengthen their bench.
Suns At Clippers – October 24
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Chris Paul will return in a Clippers uniform at home for the team he helped put on the map. It’s his first game in L.A. since re-signing with the franchise this summer, and it’s expected to be a sentimental return. The Suns, meanwhile, enter this season without Kevin Durant, who was dealt to Houston in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and draft capital to Phoenix.
Nuggets At Clippers – November 12
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As of now, Nikola Jokić remains one of the most difficult matchups in the league. In recent playoff series, he averaged roughly 24 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists against the Clippers—putting up near triple‑double numbers fairly often. Los Angeles added Brook Lopez to try and counter that.
Timberwolves At Thunder – November 26
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Many people believe the Timberwolves stall when it matters, and last year’s loss to Oklahoma City in the conference finals didn’t help that view. The Thunder controlled that series and came into this season with even more depth. Minnesota brought back Julius Randle and Naz Reid but made few real changes.
Rockets At Warriors – November 26
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Opening rematches after a long series can reveal what actually changed. Golden State edged out Houston in seven games last spring, but that version of the Rockets no longer exists. Kevin Durant leads the offense, with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks out of the picture. Golden State has yet to find consistency in its second unit.
Mavericks At Lakers – November 28
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A frontcourt reset in Dallas pushed for more interior defense and size. For this reason, Anthony Davis was sent west, and Luka Dončić was brought to Los Angeles. Currently, they anchor two very distinct systems. The Mavericks play bigger, slower, and rely on rim protection. On the other hand, the Lakers run through Luka’s control and outside shooting.
Lakers At Celtics – December 5
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In his return to Boston, Marcus Smart won’t be greeted like he was last time. He got the tribute video with Memphis. However, this one is different because he’s starting for the Lakers—the Celtics’ oldest rival—and doing it alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Knicks At Pacers – December 18
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Last season’s playoff series between these teams was physical, fast, and tense. Indiana comes in with less star power, but enough structure to hang with anyone. The Knicks are deeper, and their top-end talent is stronger. With Tyrese Haliburton out, the Pacers will favor Pascal Siakam and their young bench.
76ers At Knicks – December 19
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One of the toughest assignments for the Knicks in recent years has been stopping Joel Embiid. He’s averaged more than 31 points across their last ten matchups. To shift that dynamic, New York brought in Karl-Anthony Towns for frontcourt help and Paul George to tighten up perimeter coverage.
Cavaliers At Knicks – December 25
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In the previous season, Cleveland swept all four regular-season games against New York, only to watch the Knicks reach the conference finals. That contrast set the tone for how both teams approached the offseason. The Cavaliers added more shooting and leaned further into their guard-driven offense.
Spurs At Thunder – December 25
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Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama had just one meeting last year. Injuries kept the matchup from becoming regular. Currently, both are entering the season healthy, and both teams are building around their unique skill sets. Oklahoma City expects to contend again, while San Antonio wants to move up the standings and play meaningful games late in the year.
Warriors At Timberwolves – January 24
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Golden State lost control of its series against Minnesota the moment Steph Curry went down. This rematch brings both teams back at full strength. The Timberwolves want to prove they can beat playoff-level teams without depending on circumstances. Golden State, still driven by Curry, needs wins like this to stay relevant.