Camille Naredo

Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 16, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 16: Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 16, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE   Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

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2025 NBA Finals - Indiana Pacers v Oklahoma City Thunder

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754713443767AFP__20250617__2219817033__v1__MidRes__2025NbaFinalsIndianaPacersVOklahomaCityThunde.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 16, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 16, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. <em>Adam Pantozzi, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP </em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES -- Opening night of the upcoming NBA season will feature the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Houston and a star-studded clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State, ESPN reported Friday.</p><p>The season will tip off on October 21 and the opening night games will be aired by NBC, marking the league&#x27;s return to the broadcaster for the first time in 23 years.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/3/nba-what-makes-the-thunder-special-in-the-words-of-isaiah-joe-2137">READ: What makes the Thunder special, in the words of Isaiah Joe</a></div><p>The 2025-26 season is the first of an 11-year media rights deal for the NBA worth a reported $76 billion.</p><p>It includes a new partnership with Amazon, a return to NBC and a continuing partnership with ESPN and ABC, with ABC to carry a blockbuster Christmas day slate.</p><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, are scheduled to play on Christmas against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.</p><p>It will be the Cavs&#x27; first Christmas appearance since superstar LeBron James played for his hometown team.</p><p>Another Christmas game will see Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City.</p><p>James and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks visit the Golden State Warriors and Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves in other holiday matchups.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Opening night of the upcoming NBA season will feature the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Houston and a star-studded clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State, ESPN reported Friday.</p>

Opening night of the upcoming NBA season will feature the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Houston and a star-studded clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State, ESPN reported Friday.

NBA to open season with blockbuster showdowns: report

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NBA to open season with blockbuster showdowns: report

Agence France-Presse

Published August 09, 2025 12:40 PM PHT

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