If you're asking when did the nba season start for this current 2025-26 run, the short answer is October 21, 2025. It was a Tuesday. People usually assume the league waits until the very end of October to get things moving, but the NBA has been leaning into that mid-to-late October slot for a while now. They want to grab your attention before the World Series steals it and while the NFL is still in its mid-season grind.
Opening night wasn't just some quiet affair. We had the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder—fresh off their title win against the Indiana Pacers—hosting the Houston Rockets. That game was a total barnburner. It went into double overtime before OKC squeaked it out 125-124. Then you had the late-night West Coast slot with the Warriors and the Lakers. Honestly, seeing LeBron and Steph face off for the start of another season never gets old, even if the "experts" keep saying the era is ending.
Why the NBA start date matters more than you think
The calendar isn't just about when players show up. It's about a massive television shift. This year was actually huge because the NBA returned to NBC after over two decades away. If you grew up in the 90s, that "Roundball Rock" theme hitting your speakers on October 21 probably felt like a core memory unlocked.
But looking back, the "start" of the season is actually a rolling series of dates.
📖 Related: Premier League 2024/25 Table: Why Most Fans Got the Title Race Wrong
- The Preseason Global Tour: Things actually kicked off way before October 21. The Knicks and 76ers were playing in Abu Dhabi on October 2.
- The "Real" Start: October 21 is when the wins and losses started counting for the 82-game marathon.
- The Cup Factor: We can't forget the Emirates NBA Cup. That started on October 31, just ten days after the regular season tip-off.
A quick look at the 2025-26 key timeline
The regular season is scheduled to run until April 12, 2026. After that, we hit the Play-In Tournament from April 14 to 17. If you're a fan of a team like the Pistons—who are finally having a decent turnaround after years of being, well, the Pistons—those April dates are circled in red on the calendar. The playoffs officially start on April 18, 2026.
Comparing this year to the 2024-25 season
If you're confused and actually thinking about last year, the when did the nba season start answer for the 2024-25 season was October 22, 2024. The league likes that Tuesday window. Last year, we saw the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks. It’s funny how the narrative changes so fast. Back then, everyone was wondering if OKC was "too young" to win it all. Fast forward a year, and they entered this season as the reigning kings.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who took home the MVP last season, didn't miss a beat on opening night this year. He dropped 32 points in that double-OT win against Houston. It’s those kinds of performances that justify why the NBA starts its season with such specific, high-profile matchups. They don't just pick names out of a hat; they want drama.
The weird history of opening nights
If we want to go way back—like, 1940s back—the very first game in league history (when it was still the BAA) happened on November 1, 1946. The New York Knicks played the Toronto Huskies. The Knicks won 68-66. Imagine that score today. Most teams hit 68 points by the middle of the second quarter now.
Over the decades, the start date has slowly crept forward from November into October. The 82-game schedule is a beast. To fit it all in without having players collapse from exhaustion (or "load management"), the league needs every day it can get. Starting in October allows for more rest days between games, which is something the Players Association fights for in every CBA negotiation.
🔗 Read more: Qué esperar de los próximos partidos de Cagliari Calcio y por qué Cerdeña no se rinde
What you should do now
If you're trying to keep up with the rest of this season, here is what actually matters for your calendar:
- Trade Deadline: Mark down February 5, 2026. That is the 3 p.m. ET cutoff. This is when the "panic trades" happen.
- All-Star Weekend: It’s happening in Los Angeles this year from February 13 to 15. The Intuit Dome is going to be the center of the basketball world.
- The Stretch Run: After the All-Star break, the intensity shifts. Teams stop experimenting and start shortening their rotations.
- Waiver Deadline: March 1, 2026, is the last day a player can be waived and still be eligible for a playoff roster with a new team.
Knowing when did the nba season start is just the entry point. The real season begins to reveal itself in January and February when the "new season smell" wears off and the grind sets in. Whether you're tracking the Knicks' defense of their NBA Cup title or watching to see if Cooper Flagg can live up to the hype in Dallas, the dates are set. Now we just watch the drama unfold.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Score Oregon Ducks Game Matters More Than Just the Final Numbers
Check your local listings for the new NBC and Peacock doubleheaders on Tuesday nights—it's basically the new "appointment viewing" for the league.