2018-19 NBA Schedule Release: Opening Week, Christmas Day and more

NBA Houston Rockets James Harden (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NBA Houston Rockets James Harden (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Taking a look at the key dates of the 2018-19 NBA schedule as it is released in anticipation of the new campaign

Even though the 2018-19 NBA season hasn’t officially started, it’s pretty much in full swing for many basketball heads around.

And as the offseason remains in a standstill, the NBA’s decision to release the schedule couldn’t have come at a better time. From opening day to opening week to Christmas Day, here’s a quick look at some of the biggest schedule dates ahead of the 2018-19 NBA season.

Opening Night

Tuesday, October 16 

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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics – 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors – 10:30 p.m. (ET)

Other Key Games During Opening Week

Wednesday, October 17 

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets – 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Thursday, October 18 

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 10:30 p.m. (ET)

Friday, October 19 

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors – 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Saturday, October 20 

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 p.m. (ET)

Christmas Day

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks – 12:00 p.m. (ET)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets – 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics – 5:30 p.m. (ET)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors – 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz – 10:30 p.m. (ET)

MLK Day

Monday, January 21 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks – 12:30 p.m. (ET)

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 1:00 p.m. (ET)

Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3:30 p.m. (ET)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 5:30 p.m.
(ET)

Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 8:00 p.m.
(ET)

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 p.m. (ET)

Other Notable Games

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – 8:00 p.m. – November 21

Toronto Raptors vs. San Antonio Spurs – 8:00 p.m. (ET) – January 3

San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors – 7:00 p.m. (ET) – February 22

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 8:30 p.m. (ET) – March 9

These are only a handful of the NBA games that will take place this season, with a number of them having pretty interesting storylines. From LeBron’s return to Cleveland to Kawhi Leonard’s homecoming in San Antonio, the 2018-19 NBA season will be full of action, both on and off the court.

The NBA season officially opens with the preseason September 28, with training camps opening across the league a week prior. The 2018-19 NBA season is nearly here, and the schedule release only makes it that much more real.