The NBA launched the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season on Thursday, highlighting the opening week’s slate of video games, matchups on Christmas Day in addition to the third version of Rivalry Week. We’re simply over two months away from Opening Night time on Oct. 22, so all consideration between from time to time will likely be on the thrill for subsequent season. However past all of the intrigue round matchups like Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Space on Nov. 12, or Paul George returning to play the Clippers on Nov. 6, one other attention-grabbing wrinkle with the schedule launch is which groups will likely be seen essentially the most on a nationwide stage.

The league by no means places a give attention to telling us which groups are getting essentially the most nationally televised video games, however it does not take an excessive amount of time to scan by means of each group’s schedule and determine the place all of them rank in that class. On the high of the checklist is nothing too shocking — you’ve got received the largest manufacturers within the leagues main the way in which, in addition to the reigning champions. However which groups are getting essentially the most video games on nationwide tv additionally tells us which squads or gamers the league views as being on the rise and which of them have fallen out of favor when it comes to curiosity. It’s also possible to see how offseason strikes impression the variety of video games every group will get on nationwide tv.

With that being mentioned, let’s take a look at the place all 30 groups rank in nationally televised video games for the 2024-25 season and provides some perception into why they’re the place they’re. For the aim of this, solely video games on ESPN/ABC and TNT will depend as nationally televised video games, as NBATV is just not a channel everybody will get.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

This is not shocking within the slightest. What is shocking is the Wizards’ lone nationally televised recreation is a Jan. 16 assembly with the Phoenix Suns at residence. I used to be anticipating the league to have both one of many Oct. 28 or Oct. 30 matchups pitting the No. 1 decide on this summer season’s draft Zaccharie Risacher towards No. 2 decide Alex Starr when the Wizards have a home-and-home towards the Hawks. However the league clearly did not favor both of these video games.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

Simply a few years in the past, the Raptors would have fallen someplace on the center of this checklist, however buying and selling away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, dropping Fred VanVleet in free company and a litany of different strikes signaled they have been pivoting in the direction of a youth motion. That has knocked them down a number of pegs. Nonetheless, I assumed their younger core that includes Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett would’ve garnered a minimum of a pair extra nationally televised video games. Not less than we’ll watch them face the Knicks on nationwide tv on Jan. 8.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

The Blazers are rebuilding, so there’s not a ton of nationwide curiosity on this group. Couple that with a gradual begin out of the gates for the No. 3 decide within the 2023 NAB Draft in Scoot Henderson, and Portland’s solely received one nationally televised recreation. They’re going to host former Blazers star Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 28 for his or her primetime slot.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

The Pistons will host the 76ers of their lone nationally televised recreation of the season on Feb. 7. The group underwent a slew of offseason modifications, from the entrance workplace to new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The group hopes that that is the yr they’ll lastly present some steps ahead of their rebuilding course of.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

A few years in the past, the Hornets felt like a budding group on the cusp of gaining nationwide consideration due to the thrilling gamers on their group. However accidents to LaMelo Ball dampened that pleasure — and progress — so as an alternative, they’re routinely close to the underside of the Jap Convention. They’re going to have a nationally televised recreation towards the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 17 in a battle of the Ball brothers, and in contrast to earlier years as a consequence of accidents to each LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, this will likely lastly be the yr that matchup occurs.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 1

The Nets lastly waved the white flag after buying and selling Mikal Bridges to the Knicks this summer season, they usually’re totally getting into their rebuilding period. This group would’ve ranked within the high 5 of this checklist simply two years in the past, however the Huge 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are not there. Brooklyn’s fall from the highest of the league has been far, and their solely look on the nationwide stage will likely be internet hosting the Knicks on Jan. 21.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 2

It is shocking that the Jazz have another recreation than the groups beneath them on this checklist, however the league has clearly decided that the curiosity is there to warrant two nationally televised video games. They’re going to host Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves on Jan. 30 after which journey to the Suns for one more primetime spot. 

23. Chicago Bulls

Variety of nationally televised video games: 2

The Bulls are an awesome “What If” thought train from a number of years in the past. Had Lonzo Ball not gotten injured, issues would possibly’ve gone otherwise for this franchise, however as an alternative, they will be getting into the yr with the fewest expectations in about 4 years.

22. Atlanta Hawks

Variety of nationally televised video games: 2

Touchdown the No. 1 general decide did not do sufficient to raise the Hawks on this checklist, and funnily sufficient, each of their nationally televised video games will likely be towards final yr’s No. 1 general decide, Victor Wembanyama, and the Spurs.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 3

Houston has the potential to be a play-in group this season, so we could look again on this checklist and say they need to’ve gotten extra of the nationwide highlight. With younger rising stars in Alperen Sengun, Jalen Inexperienced, Jabari Smith Jr. and the elder statesman in VanVleet, Houston has all of the items and might be an entertaining group to observe subsequent season.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 5

A playoff look and an All-Star nod for Paolo Banchero did not pull sufficient weight for the Magic to be larger on this checklist. They play stout protection and have low-scoring affairs, which usually do not entice the typical fan to observe them play. However they’d probably the greatest first-round sequence towards the Cavaliers final season, pushing them to seven video games. Do not sleep on how thrilling the Magic are.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 6

After ending a playoff drought two seasons in the past, the Kings fell off a bit final season, so this spot is smart. And in a crowded Western Convention, it is going to be a troublesome activity for the Kings to return to the playoffs. However they’re an electrifying group on offense, which simply added DeMar DeRozan to the roster. They need to in all probability have a number of extra video games if solely to see them mild the beam after a win.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 7

The Warmth are such a complicated group. They’re common within the common season and often limp into the playoffs, but most years, they find yourself making some magical deep run within the postseason. However this yr, greater than others, it appears like that magic could have run out, and the dearth of nationally televised video games alerts that.

17. Cleveland Cavaliers

Variety of nationally televised video games: 8

Center of the pack is smart for the Cavaliers. They’ve a star in Donovan Mitchell, however he is not fairly as large because the groups and gamers forward of him on this checklist. And whereas Cleveland made it to the second spherical of the playoffs final season, that clearly wasn’t sufficient for them to fit larger on this checklist.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 9

Just a few years in the past, Zion Williamson alone would’ve catapulted the Pelicans manner larger on this checklist. Nonetheless, his recurring accidents make the Pelicans a dangerous group to throw on nationwide tv. When wholesome, New Orleans is an electrifying group, however getting a clear invoice of well being has been a continuing challenge for them. Maybe that is the yr the damage bug does not strike them as dangerous.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 9

After a suspension after which season-ending surgical procedure for Ja Morant, final season was a misplaced yr for the Grizzlies. So it may be laborious to keep in mind that earlier than then, the Grizzlies have been one of the crucial entertaining groups within the league, highlighted by Morant’s celebrity play and persona. With him again in tow this season, this low variety of nationwide video games will appear like a misstep, however they will certainly be electrifying each time they take the nationwide stage.

14. Los Angeles Clippers

Variety of nationally televised video games: 9

Paul George is gone, however Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are nonetheless there. Accidents all the time get in the way in which for the Clippers. 9 video games appear honest, on condition that you want to examine the damage report 1,000,000 instances earlier than the Clippers play, so there aren’t any complaints right here.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 9

Tyrese Haliburton received some MVP chatter at the beginning of final season, and the Pacers had a traditionally nice offense en path to the Jap Convention finals. I am shocked they really do not have extra video games, but when they carry on the trajectory they’re on, that quantity will hopefully solely rise going ahead.

12. San Antonio Spurs

Variety of nationally televised video games: 13

Now we’re stepping into the double digits, and when you’re shocked that the Spurs rank this excessive, you should not be. That is the ability of Victor Wembanyama, who, after a stellar displaying throughout France’s silver-medal Olympics run, returns to San Antonio to place the remainder of the league on discover. This time, he is received Chris Paul within the backcourt. The Spurs will likely be must-watch tv, even when they do not win many video games.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 15

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed second in MVP voting, Chet Holmgren was Rookie of the 12 months runner-up, and the Thunder completed first atop the Western Convention and made it to the second spherical of the playoffs. They added Alex Caruso to the combination and nonetheless have a vault stuffed with beneficial picks for enchancment. This can be a group on a fast rise, and in all honesty, it ought to have extra video games than a few of the groups listed above. They seem to be a small market group with a passionate fanbase and probably the greatest homecourt benefits within the league, hopefully the league takes discover going ahead that they are deserving of extra nationwide consideration.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Variety of nationally televised video games: 17

Accidents derailed the Bucks final season, leading to a first-round playoff loss to the Pacers. However this variety of nationally televised video games is predicated on the star energy of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is been one of many faces of the league for the previous few years, and whereas the Bucks aren’t the dominant drive they have been after they gained a championship in 2021, they’re nonetheless going to garner a substantial amount of nationwide consideration.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

Variety of nationally televised video games: 18

The Timberwolves are field workplace. Extra particularly, Anthony Edwards is field workplace. You possibly can give the Timberwolves 30 video games and I would not be mad about it. The persona this group exudes is only a pleasure to observe and was probably the greatest tales to come back out of final season’s playoffs. They did not tweak the roster a lot, so we’ll see if they’ll repeat final season’s success, however on the power of Edwards alone they deserve this spot.

8. Phoenix Suns

Variety of nationally televised video games: 19

I am shocked about this variety of video games for the Suns. Sure, Kevin Durant is likely one of the brightest stars within the league, whereas he and Devin Booker are coming off a gold-medal end on the Olympics. However the Suns struggled closely final season with their lack of depth, a problem they did not actually tackle all that a lot this offseason. They solely have another recreation than the Timberwolves, however I positively assume Minnesota and Oklahoma Metropolis needs to be forward of them right here.

7. Philadelphia 76ers

Variety of nationally televised video games: 21

Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George: sufficient mentioned. The Sixers will likely be one of the crucial intriguing groups this season as they attempt to break by means of to the Jap Convention finals. So long as Embiid stays wholesome, Philadelphia ought to end close to the highest of the East, which warrants this many nationally televised video games.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 22

That is going to be a pivotal season for the Nuggets. They’re solely two years faraway from a championship, however what seemed like a dynasty within the making is slowly turning right into a group that will must make some troublesome selections within the close to future. However Nikola Jokic and his three MVPs warrant this sort of nationwide respect, even when he is not essentially the most outgoing star within the league.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 23

Coming off a shocking run to the NBA Finals, after which including Klay Thompson to a combination that already has Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas enters this season as one of the crucial thrilling groups within the league. Final season, we noticed how electrifying the Mavericks might be on offense, and that ought to stay the identical with Doncic and Irving within the backcourt.

4. New York Knicks

Variety of nationally televised video games: 24

The Knicks are again! No, actually this time. By far, they’d one of the best offseason in including Anunoby, buying and selling for Bridges and signing Jalen Brunson to an ultra-team-friendly contract. They’re properly outfitted to problem the Celtics on the high of the East and are usually only a enjoyable group to observe at Madison Sq. Backyard.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 24

The Warriors did not do a lot within the offseason to counsel they’ll enhance upon final season’s play-in event exit, however having Stephen Curry in your group carries a ton of weight when it comes right down to determining which groups will get essentially the most nationally televised video games. The one recreation circled on everybody’s calendar is when Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Space on Nov. 12, which needs to be a heat welcome from Warriors followers. However you may wager that matchup could have all kinds of emotion and trash speaking on either side.

2. Boston Celtics

Variety of nationally televised video games: 26

If I am making the schedule, the group that simply gained the championship ought to undoubtedly have essentially the most nationally televised video games, however that is simply me. There’s solely a one-game distinction between the No. 1 and No. 2 spot on this checklist, however when you think about the group ranked first right here did not even make it out of the primary spherical of the playoffs, it may really feel somewhat disrespectful to Boston. And so they’ll certainly use that as motivation for this season to attempt to defend their title, which, by the way in which, they’re greater than well-equipped to take action.

Variety of nationally televised video games: 27

Is anybody shocked? It is the largest model within the NBA, and the largest star within the league is LeBron James. Even when the Lakers have been trotting out lottery groups throughout Kobe Bryant’s last years within the league, the Lakers nonetheless persistently ranked close to the highest of nationally televised video games. This group is nowhere close to as dangerous as these squads, however this is not a roster deserving of almost 30 nationally televised video games. Nevertheless, with LeBron and his son Bronny James on the identical group and new coach JJ Redick, the Lakers will likely be among the many most talked about groups no matter their document.