The air changes when October hits. It’s that crisp transition from the crack of baseball bats to the squeak of sneakers on hardwood. If you've been staring at an empty calendar wondering when does nba season start 2025, you aren't alone. Honestly, the NBA schedule can be a bit of a maze with all the preseason international games and the new "In-Season" tournaments.
The 2025-26 NBA regular season officially tipped off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
It wasn't just any start, either. The league went big. We saw the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder—the youngest team ever to nab a one-seed just a year prior—hosting Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. Later that same night, the Lakers and Warriors went at it in a clash of dynasties that felt more like a playoff game than a season opener.
Opening Week and the Road to April
Most fans think the season starts and then just "is." But the rhythm of the 2025-26 season is pretty specific. After that October 21 kickoff, the league didn't waste any time. We had a massive slate on Wednesday, October 22, featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks on ESPN.
Basically, the NBA wants you glued to the TV from day one.
The regular season is a marathon, not a sprint. It runs all the way until April 12, 2026. That’s when the 82-game grind finally stops and the Play-In Tournament chaos begins. If you’re planning your life around the Finals, mark June 4, 2026, on your calendar. That’s when the quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy truly reaches its peak.
Key Dates You Should’ve Noted
- Training Camps: Most veterans reported by September 29, 2025.
- Preseason: This actually started early on October 2, with the Knicks and 76ers playing way over in Abu Dhabi.
- The NBA Cup: Group play for the Emirates NBA Cup started October 31.
- Christmas Day: The legendary December 25 slate featured a massive rematch between the Spurs and the Thunder.
Why the 2025 Start Date Mattered
There was a lot of talk about whether the league would start even earlier to accommodate the Olympics or the new tournament structure. They stuck to the late-October tradition. This matters because players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama needed that recovery time after a grueling summer of international play.
The NBA Cup (formerly the In-Season Tournament) has changed how we view November. It used to be the "dog days" of the season. Now? Those Friday night games in November actually have stakes. The New York Knicks ended up taking home the 2025 NBA Cup title in Las Vegas on December 16, defeating the Spurs in a game that felt surprisingly intense for mid-December.
The International Flavor
You might have noticed the NBA is obsessed with passports lately. The 2025 start was preceded by games in Abu Dhabi and Macau. It’s a bit weird seeing the Phoenix Suns playing in China while most of us are still finishing our morning coffee, but that’s the modern league.
We also had the Mexico City game on November 1, where the Pistons took on the Mavs. Later this month, in January 2026, the league heads to Europe. The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic are scheduled for a home-and-home of sorts in Berlin and London.
All-Star 2026: The Next Big Landmark
Since the season is already well underway, everyone is looking toward the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The 75th NBA All-Star Game is set for February 15, 2026. It’s the first time Steve Ballmer’s new billion-dollar "basketball mecca" will host the festivities.
Expect a lot of Hollywood stars and probably a few jokes about the number of toilets in that arena.
📖 Related: Around the Horn Final Show: Why ESPN’s "Stat Boy" Era Really Ended
If you're tracking the standings right now, the Thunder and Cavaliers are the clear favorites, but as we’ve seen in past years, the trade deadline on February 5 often flips the script.
Moving Forward
Now that you know the 2025 start date is behind us and the season is in full swing, the best way to keep up is to sync the remaining key dates to your personal calendar. Keep an eye on the injury reports—especially with the "65-game rule" still in effect for end-of-season awards.
Check your local listings for the upcoming MLK Day marathon on January 19, which is always one of the best viewing days of the year. If you're planning to attend a game, the second half of the season schedule usually sees a slight price hike as playoff races heat up, so booking your tickets before the All-Star break is usually the smarter move.
Make sure to monitor the standings specifically for the 7th through 10th seeds, as the Play-In race is expected to be a total bloodbath in the Western Conference this April.