Category: NBA

The 2024-25 season was by all means a success for the Knicks, as the team won 51 games and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. But it ended in disappointment, as they fell short of the NBA Finals and lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

The New York front office decided if they are going to take the next step, there needs to be a change. Head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired after five seasons on June 3 and Mike Brown was officially hired on July 7. The veteran coach is now tasked with leading Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Co. over the hump in pursuit of the franchise's first championship since 1973.

With the NBA announcing it's regular season schedule on Thursday, here are some notes on the Knicks 2025-26 schedule:

-- New York opens at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.

-- They stay home to face the Boston Celtics, who'll be without Jayson Tatum this season due to injury, on Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. on Prime. The Knicks and Celtics face off again on December 2 in Boston, but then not again until Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Boston, followed by their third-to-last game of the year on April 9.

-- The Knicks will play Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs again on Christmas Day at 12:00 p.m. at the Garden

-- Some notable matchups against other top teams in the league include at the Dallas Mavericks and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg on Nov. 19, at San Antonio and Spurs star Victor Wembanyama on Dec. 31, home against LeBron James and Luka Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, 2026, and two games against reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder in March (3/4/26 at home, 3/29/26 on the road).

Here's the rest of the New York's 2025-26 schedule:

Knicks’ 2025-26 schedule: pic.twitter.com/sf5JvoUkUZ

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 14, 2025

For most young basketball hopefuls, the closest they will get to learning from the sport's biggest names is by watching a YouTube video of them playing or training.

For seven Britons, this week in Manchester has been a rare exception.

From shooting while being marked by Los Angeles centre Ivica Zubac to being guided by Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, the first Basketball Without Borders camp to take place in the UK has the potential to be life-changing.

It was at a camp like this in Latvia where Amari Williams - drafted this year by the Boston Celtics to become only the NBA's third English-born active player - was discovered.

The camp coming to Britain for the first time was part of the NBA's continued push to grow the following of and participation in basketball in the country. It also followed last month's announcement that the UK will host its first NBA regular-season games since 2019 with a match in London in 2026 and Manchester in 2027.

"We can virtually guarantee that a handful or more of the players sitting out there today will be in the [NBA and WNBA]," Nurse told BBC Sport, during the four-day camp where the Britons taking part were among Europe's 60 highest-rated teenagers.

"It's an amazing event, it always is. I've been fortunate enough to be a part of it before, but when they said they were coming to Manchester, I wanted to be a part of it.

"That's always exciting to see them at this stage, and then down the line say, 'I remember we had them in Manchester in the camp'. Always happens. It's exciting to be among the most talented young players in the world."

American Nurse played in the British Basketball League for Derby Rams in the 1990-91 season, and had coaching spells at Birmingham Bullets, Manchester Giants, London Towers and Brighton Bears before rising to land NBA posts with Toronto Raptors and the 76ers.

The event in Manchester, in which both current and former players and coaches from the NBA and WNBA were involved, is designed to help aspiring basketball stars of high school ages outside of the United States get valuable first-hand coaching and advice.

Yearly BWB camps also run across Asia, Africa and The Americas. The best performing players from the four camps combined are then selected to attend another BWB camp for the world's best young players that take place during the NBA and WNBA All-Star weekends.

Scouts from all 30 NBA teams are in attendance to cast their eyes over the young hopefuls.

'A huge boost' - NBA's return to Britain

Almost a decade ago, Los Angeles Clippers centre Zubac was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers having played professionally as a teenager in Serbia and his homeland Croatia.

It is a similar path for many Europeans entering the NBA and WNBA.

One of the camp's aims is to scout the best talents outside of the US from a young age.

"I never really had a chance to participate [in these camps] as a kid but I would've loved to," said Zubac, 28.

"I think getting advice, knowledge and experience from the NBA players, NBA coaches, all the basketball legends here, some of who have won a lot of championships, it's very valuable and I think it's going to be really helpful."

NBA's 2024-25 Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is among the current stars who have attended BWB camps, as well as 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid and 23-year-old Williams.

A total of 129 players who have attended the camps, including 41 currently in NBA starting teams, have gone on to play in either the NBA or WNBA.

Irene Oboavwoduo, from Manchester, hopes this might happen for her too and first aiming for a US college route to help her chances.

"It's pretty hard because basketball is not as big in England, but basketball is expanding in the UK," said the 17-year-old. "I'm glad I've been able to do this as an experience for exposure."

Nurse believes the return of NBA matches to the UK can only help the sport grow.

"The NBA and the WNBA are certainly turning into international leagues. There are players from all over the world now," he said.

"It's a huge boost. When the NBA brings its brand and brings its star power, bringing NBA players certainly draws a lot of attention."

Williams' arrival to the NBA will make him the fourth active Briton in the league alongside OG Anunoby, Tosan Evbuomwan and Jeremy Sochan, although Sochan plays internationally for Poland.

There are currently only two British players in the WNBA - Temi Fagbenle and Elizabeth Williams, who play for the Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky respectively,

That is despite basketball currently being the second-most popular team sport in the UK, with one-and-a-half million participants on a weekly basis.

Will WNBA games be held in UK?

The topic of top-level basketball heading outside the United States comes in a week where the first WNBA game to be held internationally takes place.

The Atlanta Dream face the Seattle Storm in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday night.

Could that lead to a future WNBA match in the UK?

"That's always a possibility," said two-time WNBA champion Sylvia Fowles, who is also part of the BWB's coaching staff.

"I want to see the WNBA everywhere.

"It says a lot to have WNBA players here [at the camp], so hopefully it trickles down so that we can get games here - and I think would be pretty."

Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon’s next big splash is likely coming in the NBA. 

Dundon has reached a tentative agreement to buy the Portland Trail Blazers from Paul Allen’s estate.

While Dundon declined to provide the terms of the proposed sale, he emphasized that he’s “very excited.”

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, Dundon has agreed to buy the Trail Blazers from the estate of Paul G. Allen for a valuation of over $4 billion. 

The Trail Blazers’ valuation is listed at $3.65 billion according to CNBC’s latest Official NBA Team Valuations.

Carolina Hurricanes Owner Reportedly Buying NBA's Portland Trail BlazersWell it seems like Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is making another big foray into the sports world.

Dundon purchased a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017 and became the team's majority owner in 2018, as the franchise has seen unparalleled success since his arrival.

Drew Carter and Scal highlight standout nights on Celtics' schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025-26 Boston Celtics season is just around the corner, and we now know their full schedule for what should be a rather interesting campaign.

Though Jayson Tatum’s injury might be a severe hindrance to the Celtics making a championship run, the team still has plenty of talent to compete in the East. And what is perhaps a change from recent years, there will be an added emphasis and importance on the regular-season results for Boston.

With that in mind, NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics broadcast team of Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine spent some time pointing out what they’re looking forward to and expecting in the upcoming 2025-26 schedule in the latest Celtics Talk Podcast.

Opening Night vs. Philadelphia

Scal’s immediate reaction was noticing that the Celtics won’t be involved in a premier opening night game.

“Interesting not being on the main where we’re raising a banner or we’re going to a place that’s raising a banner. It does seem interesting we’re not playing on official opening night,” Scal said. “But we [NBC Sports Boston] get opening night, which is great.”

That game will take place against the 76ers on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with a 7:30 tip at TD Garden. Neither Carter nor Scalabrine sees the Sixers as a real title contender, though Scal is excited to see their backcourt in action.

“I do think their backcourt is young and dynamic. Tyrese Maxey has grown into a pretty good player and they have some young guys,” he said. “To me, I think those guards are going to be must-see TV. I think V.J. Edgecombe is a serious high flyer and could be really fun to watch.”

No Christmas game for C’s; tough trip around New Year’s

Not only are the Celtics not involved with the NBA’s opening night, they’re also not playing on Christmas Day for the first time since 2015. The injury to Tatum (who was still two years away from being 19 years old in 2015) is likely why the C’s will be spending Christmas morning in their own homes instead of playing on national TV.

And right after Christmas, the Celtics will head out on a five-game road trip that will take them through Indiana, Portland, Utah, Sacramento and L.A. to face the Clippers. With the tough timing and a New Year’s Day matchup with the Kings out west, Drew asked Scal if that will be a tough one for the players.

“I don’t think NBA players look at it like that,” Scal said. “I don’t really remember what day it is. I know you play on Christmas Day [or] you don’t, whatever. But once that’s over, you’re back into it. It is what it is. So I think, I feel like this team will be fine. And I don’t think a lot of guys got kids or anything like that. So you know, [not playing on Christmas] might be a nice little break.”

Welcoming back old friends

It’s obviously been an offseason of change for the Celtics, most notably with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis being traded away. Those two players will be returning to Boston in back-to-back games in January, with Holiday’s Trail Blazers visiting Boston on January 26 and Porzingis’ Hawks arriving two nights later.

🔊 Celtics Talk Podcast: Scal & Drew break down the Celtics’ 2025-26 regular season schedule | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

“The nostalgia of these guys winning a championship is awesome,” Scal said. “And it’s great when you get a chance to watch the tribute videos and then you remember the moments. You know, a lot of times you’re covering a team, it all gets blended together. But Holiday had some big moments and so did Porzingis.

“So, I’m excited about seeing those guys back, and it’s just different. When a guy has won a championship and he comes back to the Garden and he gets a tribute video, I think those moments are really gonna be special.”

Though Porzingis was only a Celtic for two seasons and dealt with injuries throughout that tenure, Drew anticipates an emotional return for the Latvian big man who really embraced Boston.

“I actually think KP might cry when when his tribute video happens, because that guy like — he seems to feel, he’s got a real flair for just the city of Boston and what people appreciate,” Carter said. “And if you think about Game 1 of the Finals against Dallas, that’s about as electric of a moment as we had in the playoffs last year.”

First look At Flagg

The hope of the Dallas Mavericks and pride of Maine, Cooper Flagg, will face the Celtics twice this season. The first time will be in Dallas on Feb. 3, and the Mavericks will visit Boston a month later on March 6. It figures to be a big one, with Carter dubbing it “The Maine Event.”

“We’ve got both the Celtics-Mavericks games on NBC Sports Boston. The big one is March 6, when they are in the house and it’s Cooper Flagg. Half the population of Maine is going to be in the building,” Carter said, adding that Kyrie Irving may be nearing a return to the court around this time as he works back from a torn ACL. “So this game just has a massive feel, right?”

“Yeah,” Scal agreed. “I think as soon as the tickets are available to buy, I think people will buy — from Maine — will buy this game and it’ll sell out. And I have a direct line to the secondary market. … I think that this secondary market will end up going crazy. This might be one of those games where people buy just because they want to hold on to the ticket because it is Cooper Flagg’s debut in Boston. A family that loved the Celtics — the player, his mom, his dad.

“Cooper Flagg grew up loving the Boston Celtics. I don’t know if they’re gonna do anything for the people of Maine or whatever, but it does feel like you’ll feel like the whole state is in the Garden.”

Also in this episode:

• Scal’s outlook on the Knicks after firing Tom Thibodeau and hiring Mike Brown
• Drew and Scal’s read on the entire Eastern Conference
• Some debate on the ageless LeBron James and whether the Lakers are a title contender
• Breakdowns on the NBA Cup matchups
• What to expect from Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the whole team this year

Sixers schedule released for what they hope is bounce-back 2025-26 season  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers have their schedule for what they hope is a serious bounce-back season.

After a 24-58 year overflowing with injuries, the Sixers are aiming for much better health and better results in the 2025-26 campaign.

They’ll open the season by visiting the Celtics on Oct. 22. Below is the team’s full schedule, which the NBA released Thursday:

Injury questions figure to remain prominent at the start of the season for Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Young guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain are poised to return from season-ending injuries. No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe is an important new name in the mix. 

The Sixers are in East Group B of the 2025-26 NBA Cup. These are their group games: 

• Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. ET vs. Celtics
• Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Pistons
• Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. ET vs. Magic 
• Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Nets 

The Cup quarterfinals are set for Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. The semifinals (Dec. 13) and championship (Dec. 16) will be in Las Vegas.

The 22 teams that don’t reach the knockout rounds will have two regular-season games added to their schedules. The four teams that lose in the quarterfinals will have one game added. 

The man behind the mascot of the Denver Nuggets, known for viral stunts and physically demanding slam dunks, is suing the NBA team’s parent company, claiming wrongful termination after a hip injury.

The man inside the suit playing “Rocky,” Drake Solomon, alleged in a lawsuit Wednesday that Kroenke Sports & Entertainment fired him in August 2024, months after he had hip replacement surgery, The Denver Post reported.

The lawsuit accuses the Nuggets of violating the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act through discrimination based on disability, retaliation and two claims of aiding and abetting unfair employment practices against Solomon’s supervisors. It asks for an unspecified amount of money.

“I grew up around it my entire life,” Solomon told 9News. He took on the role of Rocky from his father, Kenn, who wore the suit for three decades before retiring in 2021.

“I had a strong loyalty to this company since I was two weeks old on the court, and it was just heartbreaking, not just for me, but for my family as well,” he said.

Following his father’s retirement from the high-energy costume character role, Solomon said he was the only person invited to try out to play the beloved Rocky.

However, issues started to rise soon after taking on the physically demanding role. Solomon developed hip pain and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a disease caused by the loss of blood supply to the bone, according to the lawsuit.

Solomon underwent two surgeries to try and fix the issue, one in March 2023 and then a hip replacement in April 2024, according to the filing.

He was told there would be an open tryout for the position “regardless of the outcome” of his surgery — even though Solomon told his supervisors his doctors expected him to make a full recovery in a matter of months, the suit claims.

When Solomon returned to work on May 20, he was met with hostility, according to the lawsuit. Even though he performed the duties of his job that summer, management still held tryouts for the position ahead of the 2024-2025 season.

Solomon claims in the lawsuit that during auditions, he completed all the physical requirements — and even taught other applicants how to dunk in the Rocky costume.

He was fired soon after tryouts, and management did not provide a reason at the time, the lawsuit alleges. The NBA team’s parent company later claimed he was let go because he did not score first in the tryouts.

Solomon’s complaint also calls for a potential class action lawsuit, stemming from the severance agreement he was offered upon firing.

“It was not easy to go ahead with this because I love the Nuggets,” Solomon told the Colorado Sun. “They’ve been my whole life and my family. For things to end the way they did it was pretty heartbreaking.”

“We loved Rocky our entire lives,” he added. “We always looked at the Nuggets as a second family and Rocky as a second dad. For it to end so cold … it’s kind of like losing a family member. My dad was pretty devastated when he heard. He was the one that suggested I look into seeing what I can do to make some wrongs right.”

Solomon claims management offered the same severance agreement, which he claims is unlawful, or a similar one to several other employees.

The Denver Nuggets did not immediately respond to a request for comment fromThe Independent .

Five ‘reunion games' Celtics fans should circle on 2025-26 schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Celtics have had a busy offseason, and that’s unlikely to change.

Especially when you consider how many tribute videos Boston will need to produce in preparation for the 2025-26 season.

After an offseason which featured the trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as well as free agency departures of Luke Kornet and (presumably) Al Horford, there will be plenty of familiar faces in the visiting locker room at TD Garden this season.

With that, here are a handful of reunion games Green Teamers will want to circle on their calendars now that the 2025-26 NBA schedule has been released. (All games on NBC Sports Boston unless otherwise noted, and home games are listed in bold.)

Atlanta Hawks (Porzingis)

• Jan. 17, 2026:Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 28, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
• March 27, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
• March 30, 2026: Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET

Porzingis, who was traded to the Hawks in a three-team deal on June 24, was a fan-favorite during his two seasons in Boston. The 30-year-old big man played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics win their long-awaited Banner 18 so fans are sure to show their support when he steps on the parquet.

The first Boston-Atlanta matchup is on the road, but Porzingis will play at TD Garden twice in late January and late March.

Portland Trail Blazers (Holiday)

• Dec. 28: Celtics at Blazers, 6 p.m. ET
• Jan. 26, 2026: Celtics vs. Blazers, 8 p.m. ET

Holiday was the first member of the 2024 championship team to go when the veteran guard was dealt to Portland on June 23. Boston acquired Anfernee Simons in what ultimately was a 1-for-1 player swap, though the financial savings were the driving factor for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.

Holiday will make his return to Boston two days before Porzingis in late January.

San Antonio Spurs (Kornet)

• Jan. 10, 2026: Celtics vs. Spurs, 8 p.m. ET
• March 10, 2026: Celtics at Spurs, 8 p.m. ET

Kornet agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs on June 30. Stevens hoped to retain the rim-running big man, but ultimately Boston couldn’t match the green.

Kornet was a favorite in the locker room and in the media during his three-plus seasons with the Celtics, and is sure to receive a warm welcome when he returns to TD Garden on Jan. 10.

Golden State Warriors (likely Horford)

• Feb. 19, 2026: Celtics at Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
• March 18, 2026: Celtics vs. Warriors, 7 p.m. ET

Horford hasn’t finalized any agreement, but rumors have linked the 39-year-old to Golden State since the start of NBA free agency six weeks ago. While Stevens hoped to re-sign the veteran big man, he admitted it was “unlikely” Horford returns.

It’s been reported Horford could consider retirement, but we’re going to pencil him in for a spot alongside superstar Steph Curry and a return to TD Garden in March.

Utah Jazz (Niang)

• Nov. 3: Celtics vs. Jazz, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Dec. 30: Celtics at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET

Who could forget the Georges Niang era, right? Boston acquired Niang and two second-round picks when Porzingis was traded to Atlanta. Niang, a Massachusetts native, was mentioned in trade speculation pretty much as soon as he arrived in Boston given the team’s financial standing.

The 32-year-old was traded to Danny Ainge’s Jazz six weeks later and the Celtics acquired rookie RJ Luis Jr.

… OK, so maybe not all who departed this offseason will receive highlight reels on the Jumbotron.

Celtics 2025-26 schedule: Dates, opponents, downloadable calendar and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will look a whole lot different in 2025-26.

After falling to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs and losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Celtics made significant roster changes: Out are 2024 NBA champions Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (presumably) Al Horford, and in are the likes of Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, RJ Luis Jr. and first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez.

Considering Boston will be without five members of last season’s eight-man rotation to start the season, expectations have been lowered for Joe Mazzulla’s club. But with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard set to assume larger roles, it’s certainly possible the C’s could exceed those expectations while embracing the role of underdog.

We’ll start finding out in just over two months, as the NBA’s regular season begins the week of Oct. 20. Here’s everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule, including links to download a PDF version of the schedule and how to watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston:

When does the Celtics’ regular season begin?

The new-look Celtics begin their journey on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when they’ll open the 2025-26 regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.

Where can I watch Celtics games this season?

NBC Sports Boston will broadcast a majority of Boston Celtics games during the 2025-26 NBA season, in addition to full pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of every game. Tune in an hour before each game for Celtics Pregame Live, at halftime for Celtics Halftime Live and immediately after the game for Celtics Postgame Live.

Select games also will air on NBC, Peacock, ESPN and Amazon Prime.

How can I watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston?

For information on how to watch NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage on television, click here.

For information on how to stream NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage, click here.

Downloadable version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule

Scan the QR code below to download a calendar version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 season schedule.

Celtics’ full 2025-26 schedule

Check out the Celtics’ complete regular season schedule below:

Steve Kerr candidly credits Steph Curry for his Warriors coaching longevity originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The relationship between a player and coach is special, but Steve Kerr is extra grateful for his bond with Warriors superstar Steph Curry and the unique situation it has put him in as an NBA coach.

“I’m well aware that the reason I’m still here is because Steph Curry is still here,” Kerr said on a recent episode of the “Glue Guys Podcast.” “And I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth. Gregg Popovich is one of my best friends and mentors, and every time we sit down for dinner, he holds up his wine glass and he says, ‘Here’s to Tim Duncan.’

“And everyone toasts to Tim Duncan. I love it because it’s genuine and he’s basically telling us the only reason I — and we — are all here is because the lottery fell our way, we got Tim Duncan. Other people didn’t. That’s how I feel about Steph.”

Popovich was the legendary Spurs coach for nearly three decades, but his success took over the NBA when San Antonio drafted Duncan No. 1 overall in 1997.

The two built a one-of-a-kind partnership, winning five NBA championships together and really setting the standard for what a special player-coach relationship should be.

Kerr knows he found something similar with Curry.

“If I didn’t have Steph, I would have been like every other NBA coach and lasted a few years, and then gone somewhere else and coached somewhere else,” Kerr acknowledged. “I’m incredibly lucky to have this partnership with Steph.

“He provides this stability and continuity with the organization that just makes everybody’s job easier.”

Kerr is just one of many grateful for Curry.

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How Steph Curry, Warriors will be tested by first 20 games of 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The NBA’s All-Star break isn’t close to the halfway point of a season. 

Only 27 regular-season games remained when the Warriors started the supposed second half last season, meaning 67 percent of their regular season was done ahead of their eventual play-in tournament win and NBA playoff run. The regular season pie essentially can be broken down into four slices of 20 games, with one bigger piece getting an extra dash of two more games. 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr always has seen it that way, especially when it comes to the first 20 games. That’s when he believes he can give an honest assessment of what his team is, and what they can become. The Warriors, this upcoming season, will face several challenges through the first 20 games. 

It all begins with an ever-growing, and ever-darkening, shadow of Father Time lurking over the Warriors. If you haven’t heard, Steph Curry is 37 years old and turns 38 in March. Jimmy Butler will be 36 by the time opening night arrives, and Draymond Green will be 35. Those ages will be tested early on. 

After milking every ounce of the Steph Curry vs. LeBron James rivalry to open the season, the Warriors have one day off of travel before their home opener against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 23. And just like that, the Warriors, with an average age of 36 from their Big Three, will start their first back-to-back. They play the Portland Trail Blazers the next night, a team that shouldn’t be as much of a punching bag this season, as seen from their defense the final few months of last season, while also adding veterans like Jrue Holiday in the offseason.

Having two days off to enjoy the weekend after those two home games will be nice for the Warriors. The break then will turn to another battle of stamina in an instant. Again, the Warriors will host a back-to-back, playing the Memphis Grizzlies and LA Clippers at Chase Center. Though four of their first five games are at home, and the other being in LA, those four games are back-to-backs. 

Will Curry, Butler and Green play both sides of back-to-backs? What if the Warriors do indeed sign a 39-year-old Al Horford who wasn’t playing both sides of a back-to-back in Boston? 

The Warriors, after those first two back-to-backs, go one whole week before starting yet another. They’ll welcome the Phoenix Suns and then travel to Sacramento to play the Kings the next day. After a road game in Denver against the Nuggets and a home game against the Indiana Pacers, the Warriors, on Nov. 11, kick off a six-game road trip, tied for their longest of the season with a six-game slate in March that’s far from home.

The beginning of that six-game trip in November starts with a back-to-back (Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs), and also ends with one as well (Orlando Magic and Miami Heat), giving the Warriors five back-to-backs through their first 17 games. 

None of the final three games of their first 20-game sample are part of a back-to-back, and all are in San Francisco. 

“We’ve always spoke about there being 82-game players and 16-game players,” Green said at his exit interview press conference three months ago. “At some point, for us, we have to take a look at both because ideally, you don’t want to be from February 8th on scrapping and clawing for every win that you could possibly get. That takes a toll after a while.”

A season obviously isn’t decided after the first 20 games. There’s still three pieces of the pie to chow down. The Warriors were 12-8 through 20 games last season, tied for sixth in the Western Conference. They also were 12-3 through 15 games, lost five straight and began spiraling for months until Butler arrived. 

Through 20 games last season, the Warriors played 12 road games and eight home games, including just two back-to-backs in that span compared to five this season. 

This season’s first 20 games feature 11 road games and nine home games for the Warriors. How about the opponents? Here’s the full breakdown: Nuggets twice, Blazers twice, Spurs twice, Pacers twice, Los Angeles Lakers once, Grizzlies once, Clippers once, Milwaukee Bucks once, Suns once, Kings once, Thunder once, New Orleans Pelicans once, Magic once, Heat once, Utah Jazz once and the Houston Rockets once. 

In total, 10 of the 16 teams the Warriors play in their first 20 games made the playoffs last season. Age, strength of schedule and the longest road trip of the season. The Warriors are staring at an exam from the start that can reveal plenty of answers about them moving forward. 

The perfect ending is the first rematch of the Warriors’ first-round playoff matchup against the new-look Rockets, playing Kevin Durant and Co. in front of Dub Nation for the teams’ final NBA Cup game of Group Play on the 20th game of the season. TNT is out of the picture, but the NBA still knows drama.

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Here are five key Kings games to watch during upcoming 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kings basketball is back. Well, almost.

The schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season officially has been revealed, with several intriguing storylines surrounding Sacramento.

The Kings finished as the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed last season with a 40-42 record, and a play-in loss to the Dallas Mavericks ended their season early and, more than anything, left a bad taste in their mouths.

Moments after the ugly loss, then-general manager Monte McNair and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. The next day, Scott Perry was hired to clean up the mess alongside new assistant GM B.J. Armstrong.

Doug Christie officially had his interim tag removed and was named the coach of the Kings. He did a decent job after taking over for fired Mike Brown last season, but the real test begins in his first full campaign calling all the shots.

A new front office. A new-ish coach and coaching staff. New rookies. New starting point guard. New players, which means new training camp battles.

It will take some time to adjust to all the new, but when the ball gets rolling for Sacramento, there certainly is no shortage of interesting matchups along the way.

Here are five key Kings games to watch during the upcoming season:

at Suns (season opener) 

Wednesday, Oct. 22 at PHX Arena

This likely wouldn’t have made the list if it fell on any other date.

But because it’s the 2025-26 NBA season opener, it’s only right that this is a key game to watch. Not necessarily because of the matchup, but more to gauge where the Kings are at and how a jumbled roster on paper looks in person.

The Kings won’t face the star-studded Suns, as Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets and Bradley Beal was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. Devin Booker still runs the show in Phoenix, alongside new teammates Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who were part of the Rockets trade.

Both teams have plenty of question marks to answer.

The first item on Perry’s long offseason to-do list included finding a starting point guard to fill the void left by De’Aaron Fox in February. That appears to have been checked off when Sacramento acquired veteran point guard Dennis Schröder in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons.

Russell Westbrook still is an option for the Kings, who likely would run the offense with the second group off the bench.

So, the projected starting lineup for the new season is Schröder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Malik Monk and Keon Ellis are expected to be the first two players to come off the bench for Sacramento.

Kings rookie Nique Clifford turned heads during summer league and should find some minutes regularly off the bench.

But Sacramento still hasn’t addressed the wing position that has haunted it for years, as the depth issues partially have impacted Keegan Murray’s growth. Jonathan Kuminga once appeared to be the simple solution, but that hasn’t been the case this offseason throughout his complicated restricted free agency.

Another question that doesn’t have a clear answer as of now is who is Sabonis’ backup? The Kings traded Jonas Valančiūnas to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Dario Šarić. Valančiūnas played the backup role well for Sacramento, averaging 8.7 points on 55.6-percent shooting, with 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.9 minutes over 32 games (nine starts).

Currently, the Kings have Isaac Jones and rookies Maxime Raynaud and Dyland Cardwell on their big man depth chart. Newly acquired Drew Eubanks and Šarić also can play the center role, along with veteran unrestricted free agent Trey Lyles if he re-signs with the Kings.

Of course, training camp will help sort out the competition at all positions. But Game 1 of 82 also will be a good indication of the direction this team is headed.

vs. Spurs 

March 17, 2026, at Golden 1 Center

Despite 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama gracing Sacramento with his presence for the first time next season and the first time since early December 2024, there is another, somehow larger, reason all eyes will be on this particular matchup.

That comes in the form of Sacramento’s 2017 first-round draft pick, De’Aaron Fox. For seven years, Fox was the King of Sacramento and, after the Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana in 2022, was believed to be the franchise point guard for years and years to come.

But after years of continued mediocracy, including a historic playoff appearance that didn’t lead to any sustained success, a divorce was imminent. The Kings shipped Fox to the Spurs at last year’s trade deadline in a multi-team deal that landed two-time NBA All-Star Zach LaVine in Sacramento.

And while Fox already has made his return to Sacramento since the trade on March 7, it might take years for the city of Sacramento and its fans to adjust to seeing Fox in a jersey that’s not the Kings. That jersey likely will be the Spurs for years to come after Fox agreed to a reported four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with San Antonio earlier this month.

Plus, it will be the first time both Fox and Wembanyama take the Golden 1 Center floor as teammates.

Fox said it felt good to rip the band-aid off after playing his first game as a Spur against the Kings. 

“Yeah, definitely,” Fox said on March 7. “I hope I play 10-plus more years, so I’ll be back. I’ll be here. So it’s definitely good to get the first one out the way.”

The 27-year-old point guard finished that game with 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting, with four rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 33 minutes. Sacramento won 127-109.

“I’m glad the first one is over with because now I feel like it probably won’t be as anticipated anymore,” Fox said afterward. “But next time, I’m hoping for a better game for us.”

vs. Warriors (all four matchups, really)

Nov. 5, 2025, at Golden 1 Center
Jan. 9, 2026, at Chase Center
April 7, 2026, at Chase Center
April 10, 2026, at Golden 1 Center

No matter how much players from both sides try to deny the rivalry brewing between the Kings and Warriors, no one can downplay how intense the competition is when the two teams come face to face.

It doesn’t matter when, it doesn’t matter where, but any time the Kings and Warriors play each other, the barking gets louder and the claws get sharper. It hasn’t always been that way, though, but things have only intensified since their first-round meeting in the 2023 NBA playoffs, when Sacramento took the then-defending champs to seven games but fell short courtesy of a Steph Curry 50-point masterclass.

Since that point, the teams have split their eight regular-season matchups with four wins apiece over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. None of those games disappointed. And this rivalry that’s not a rivalry but clearly is a rivalry will have a midweek game in November feel like a playoff game in April.

While the Curry versus Fox matchups only got more and more fun to watch, that’s a thing of the past as Fox no longer is on the Kings. While there isn’t a particular matchup key to the outcome, there also is the storied feud between Kings big man Domantas Sabonis and Draymond Green.

Newer wrinkles added to the mix include a heated exchange with Steve Kerr and Doug Christie after Green set a rough screen on Ellis during their first matchup of the 2024-25 season. 

And, maybe to a lesser extent, Sacramento’s addition of Schröder, who spent about seven weeks with Golden State before being shipped to his third team of the season last year, could provide yet another interesting storyline to a book that doesn’t lack them.

Not to mention the Kuminga saga, as the Kings have shown significant interest in the Warriors wing this offseason, with the brass even having a good meeting with Kuminga last month. However, Golden State hasn’t been moved by Sacramento’s offers, and all signs point to Kuminga returning to the Warriors next season.

Who knows what this season will bring to the NorCal rivalry?

vs. Mavericks 

Dec. 27 at Golden 1 Center

The Kings will have their hands full when they come across the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for the first time.

Cooper Flagg, who had one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball history with Duke this past season, and the Mavericks will come to Sacramento for a late Christmas treat on Dec. 27.

Flagg lived up to his sky-high expectations in his one season with the Blue Devils, averaging 19.2 points on 48.1 percent shooting, with 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 30.7 minutes through 37 games.

Aside from it being the 18-year-old’s first game against the Kings, a taste for vengeance might also be a factor leading into this matchup.

The Kings still have a bad taste in their mouths with how their 2024-25 season ended, when the Mavericks came into town and embarrassed them on their home floor in the NBA play-in tournament.

Dallas led by as many as 26 points and had a 22-point advantage when Sacramento waved the white flag and pulled its starters. The Mavericks won 120-106 and advanced to the second play-in game but lost to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Anthony Davis led the way for Dallas with 27 points in just his 10th game with the team. Klay Thompson made five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points, and P.J. Washington added 17.

Thompson’s showing was his own kind of revenge, since the last time he faced the Kings in a postseason matchup was when he went scoreless in a 2024 play-in loss when he was a member of the Warriors. The sharpshooter went 0 of 10 from the field and 0 of 6 from 3-point land in the 118-94 loss that ended Golden State’s season.

But Thompson bounced back in his next postseason appearance against Sacramento, adding to his long-time success against the franchise, which includes an NBA-record 37-point quarter against the Kings back in 2015.

Now, though, it might be time for the Kings to seek their revenge.

vs. Lakers (all four matchups)

Oct. 26, 2025, at Golden 1 Center
Dec. 28, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena
Jan. 12, 2026, at Golden 1 Center
March 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena

This one goes without saying, right?

Any time the Lakers are on the schedule, all of Sacramento will be watching.

The rivalry dates back decades, when the two teams battled in the 2002 Western Conference finals. The series went to a Game 7, when the Lakers ultimately defeated the Kings. The matchup between the Kings and Lakers still is regarded to this day as one of the most controversial playoff series in league history, as there was widespread criticism of the officiating favoring Los Angeles, particularly in Game 6.

The Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals and swept the Nets to secure the 13th of their 16 championship titles.

That was more than 20 years ago, yet it still stings Kings fans as Sacramento hasn’t made it to the conference finals since.

The Kings dominated the season series against the Lakers two seasons ago, sweeping all four matchups in 2023-24. But Los Angeles returned the favor last season, winning all four of its games against Sacramento in 2024-25.

Plus, any game against four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is automatic must-see TV — especially after James made his NBA debut on Oct. 29, 2003, in Sacramento. And it will be the first time James’ new partner-in-crime, Luka Dončić, will face the Kings since the league-shattering blockbuster trade that sent him to the Lakers last season.

Did we mention that Dončić loves to play against the Kings ever since they infamously passed on him in the 2018 NBA Draft? Even years later, Dončić won’t let it go, even recently directing taunts and comments toward former Kings general manager Vlade Divac during a visit to Sacramento.

That one might hurt a little more after the loss of Fox.

And to add salt to the wound, instant fan favorite Jake LaRavia, who was acquired by the Kings at the trade deadline, left Sacramento this offseason to sign a two-year deal with the Lakers. It’s always hard to see your ex with someone you already don’t like.

Honorable mentions

• vs. new-look Houston Rockets led by Kevin Durant – Dec. 3, 2025
• vs. Chicago Bulls (LaVine, DeRozan’s old team, plus facing a familiar face in Kevin Huerter) – Oct. 29, 2025
• vs. reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder – Oct. 28, 2025

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