The NBA launched its full 2024-25 regular-season schedule on Thursday. We have lined the schedule from a variety of completely different angles, together with 10 must-see video games, rating the Christmas Day video games, and a rundown of who has essentially the most nationally televised video games.
This is yet another: Homecoming video games. We’re not going to name these revenge video games, though that will aptly characterize a few of these matchups (Klay Thompson returning to play the Warriors and Paul George getting his first shot on the Clippers after they refused to pay him max cash), as a result of there weren’t a ton of bad-blood strikes this summer time.
Nonetheless, even in amicable splits, athletes will discover any supply of juice they’ll, and going again to the previous stomping grounds to play a former workforce by no means fails to rev the engine. It was not a coincidence that Bradley Beal dropped a season-high 43 factors on the Wizards final 12 months.
So, name these homecoming video games or revenge video games or no matter you want, however circle them in your calendar for those who’re an NBA nut. They are not all “huge” video games, however they will really feel a lot huge to these concerned.
Oct. 23: Doc returns to Philly
This can be a coach revenge recreation, as Doc Rivers was fired two days after the 76ers misplaced within the 2023 Jap Convention semifinals to the Boston Celtics, a sequence they as soon as led 3-2. Rivers’ groups aren’t any strangers to blowing playoff leads, and this was the third straight season he had didn’t get the Sixers previous the second spherical. In order that they introduced in Nick Nurse … and didn’t get out of the primary spherical. Rivers caught a variety of flak for Philadelphia’s shortcomings, and no matter whether or not he would ever acknowledge it, he would love to enter Philadelphia on opening evening and beat the Sixers.
Oct. 25: Obi Toppin again at MSG
Toppin has been again to play the Knicks a bunch of time since theyc traded him to Indiana, together with in final 12 months’s New York-Indiana convention seminfinals wherein Toppin, who was simply rewarded with a $60M deal, performed properly. Nonetheless, I do not suppose a man like Toppin, who was the No. 8 general choose and was by no means actually given a full alternative to indicate what he may do beneath Tom Thibodeau, will ever not wish to come to New York and stick it to the Knicks a little bit.
Oct. 28: Alex Sarr faces Hawks
For a very long time, Sarr was seen because the man who would go No. 1 general to the Hawks. However that modified because the draft drew nearer and Atlanta wound up going with Zaccharie Risacher. These guys have egos. Sarr goes to wish to present the Hawks they made a mistake. To take action, he’ll need to look a complete lot higher than he did in Summer time League, the place he appeared, frankly, like a large number on the offensive finish.
Nov. 6: Paul George returns to L.A.
The Clippers are opening their new area this season with out George, whom they selected to let stroll to Philly for nothing reasonably than pay him max cash. The specter of the second apron and George’s advancing age have been comprehensible issues for the Clippers, however George absolutely would not see it that method. He may not have been in a position to get them to repay the court docket, however he’ll actually be seeking to make them pay on it.
Nov. 12: Klay returns to Bay
That is going to be essentially the most emotional homecoming recreation of the season by an extended shot. What Thompson did in his 13 years with the Warriors would not should be recited again and again. Dude is a legend. However there is no doubt it ended on a fairly bitter word, with Thompson watching the Warriors signal Jordan Poole and and Draymond Inexperienced to for a mixed $240 million whereas being unwilling to supply him greater than the reported $48 million he turned down.
Who is aware of what the precise numbers or official provides have been, if there even was one by the tip, however you’ll be able to wager Thompson feels just like the Warriors pushed him out the door. He is not near the participant he was. The Warriors have been justified in drawing a tough line on his contract. However Thompson is as aggressive as any participant within the league and he will be seeking to burn Chase Middle to the bottom.
Nov. 22: Ben Simmons again in Philly
It would not matter how irrelevant Simmons has turn into, so long as he is within the NBA, it may be a narrative each time he goes again to Philadelphia.
Nov. 24: Harden again in Philly
Harden pressured his method out of Philly on a fairly nasty word as properly. He is already been again for the reason that commerce to the Clippers, placing up 16 factors and 14 assists in a one-point Clippers win final season, however this stays a recent sufficient state of affairs that followers will nonetheless be into harassing Harden as they hope to indicate him how significantly better off they’re with out him.
Dec. 2: Murray returns to Atlanta
There should not be a lot animosity right here. Issues simply did not work out with Murray in Atlanta, however he had nearly nothing to with that. Yeah, his protection slipped in that atmosphere, however he tried to play off ball so Trae Younger may hold management of the offense, and he did a fairly good job of it. He principally did what he may; the truth is, it is honest to wonder if the Hawks would possibly’ve most well-liked to maintain him over Younger however it was Murray who had extra commerce worth.
Both method, everybody likes to indicate out of their former constructing (New Orleans hosts Atlanta earlier within the season). Murray might be up for this one.
Dec. 23: Barrett, Quickley face Knicks
This is not the primary journey again to Madison Sq. Backyard for Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett, who have been traded to Toronto final December within the OG Anunoby deal, however there’ll nonetheless be a little bit level to show for the 2 guys who have been casualties of New York’s larger aspirations (with the workforce the Knicks have put collectively, the followers most likely could not care much less about Barrett and Quickley).
Barrett performed properly in first recreation again on the Backyard, placing up 20 factors, eight rebounds and 4 assists whereas Quickley added 12 factors. They’re going to be seeking to do extra harm this time round.
Jan. 10: I-Hart will really feel MSG love
Completely no onerous emotions right here. The Knicks could not afford Isaiah Hartenstein, who landed an $87M deal from the Thunder. However he’ll get a heck of an ovation from the Knicks trustworthy. He was superior for them.
Jan. 12: DeRozan in Chicago
The Chicago followers ought to’ve have something however love for DeMar DeRozan when he returns with the Kings. He was superior in his time with the Bulls. The one factor the followers needs to be mad about is that the Bulls did not commerce DeRozan earlier. As a substitute, they in some way shipped off DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond with out bringing again a single first-round draft choose. DeRozan will get a deserved ovation.
Jan. 21: Bridges at Barclays
The most important commerce of the summer time was Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, who despatched 5 first-round picks, 4 of that are unprotected, plus one other choose swap and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets. With that type of haul, Brooklyn, which additionally acquired its personal picks again from Houston that it despatched out within the James Harden commerce, doesn’t have any onerous emotions over Bridges’ want to play throughout city. This was a serious win-win deal, however it’ll nonetheless be enjoyable to see Bridges again at Barclays Middle, which can at all times be the place the place he grew into an All-Star degree participant.
Jan. 28: Dame goes to Portland
Damian Lillard had already been again to Portland as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. It did not go all that properly as he shot simply 3 of 13 from 3 and the Bucks misplaced to the Blazers, however given his impression on that franchise and metropolis, it’ll be a narrative each time he goes again there for the remainder of his profession. He’ll get his subsequent likelihood to indicate out in entrance of his previous followers because the 2024-25 season strikes towards the All-Star break.
Feb. 6: KCP in Denver
The Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stroll to Orlando for nothing in a pure money-saving/second-apron avoiding transfer. Whether or not a workforce just like the Nuggets — who had their dominant beginning lineup in place and possibly may’ve afforded to compromise some future flexibility to maximise this window with Nikola Jokic — ought to’ve bitten the bullet and retained KCP is a matter of debate, however little doubt Caldwell-Pope is trying ahead to the prospect to indicate his former workforce they selected improper.
March 19: Westbrook takes on Lakers
The Lakers aren’t the latest workforce Russell Westbrook performed for, however his stick with the Clippers was fairly constructive. He performed properly and the followers did not groan when he touched the ball. Westbrook was like a pariah for many of his time with the Lakers. He was blamed for the whole lot. His household was getting harassed of their seats. Westbrook goes full tilt each time he steps on any court docket, and this would possibly not be the primary time he is performed the Lakers since he was traded. However my guess is there’ll at all times be a little bit additional vinegar within the tank when he performs in entrance of the Lakers followers from right here on out.
March 24: Kyrie returns to Brooklyn
Once more, the Kyrie Irving saga in Brooklyn is previous information. However it was simply so poisonous that feelings nonetheless linger. Like Ben Simmons going again to Philly, Kyrie going again to Brooklyn goes to be a factor for an extended whereas.
March 31: Giddey hits OKC
The Thunder took Josh Giddey with the No. 6 general choose in 2021. This summer time, they traded him for Alex Caruso. It made sense. Giddey wants the ball in his arms to be his greatest and he was by no means going to get that chance in Oklahoma Metropolis with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the helm. Giddey wished the commerce, reportedly, and he ought to get his likelihood to regulate the offense in Chicago like he did within the Olympics, the place he was terrific for Australia. I;m certain he would love nothing greater than to hold a triple-double in Oklahoma Metropolis.
