2019-20 NBA Schedule Release: Opening week, MLK and X-Mas Day slate

Taking a look at opening week, MLK Day and the Christmas Day slate now that the 2019-20 NBA schedule has officially been released

For many NBA fans, it’s been a long last three weeks.

After the flurry of action that we saw towards the latter portion of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors to the chaos that ensued during free agency in July, there has been a grand lull over the past few weeks in terms of news and notes regarding the NBA – with the exception of numerous stars dropping out of the World Cup.

Nevertheless, the dog days of August are nearly over. The FIBA World Cup begins on August 31, which will help wet our palet for NBA action, and training camps begin in late-September. Thankfully, as we wait until the official start of the season, the league has blessed us with a bit as the 2019-20 NBA schedule has officially been released.

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Let’s take a deeper look into what awaits us this season when it comes to opening week, Christmas Day, MLK Day and a few other notable dates to keep in mind.

*National broadcast games only

Opening Week:

Oct. 22 (opening night, TNT)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Oct. 23 (ESPN)*

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Oct. 24 (TNT)*

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors

Oct. 25 (ESPN)*

Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Christmas Day:

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets

Christmas Day is what I like to call opening night for many of the casual viewers of the NBA. It’s the big primetime television day for the sport and the first day, apart from opening week, that the NBA is centerstage. Plus, it’s also the day that the biggest and brightest will be on full display.

This year, that will, predictably, feature the Los Angeles rivalry renewed – with the additions of Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Along with the new-look Pelicans facing off against arguably the most overlooked contender in the West heading into the season, the Nuggets.

The slate also features two Eastern Conference rivalries, with the Bucks and Sixers squaring off and the defending champion Raptors taking on the new-look Celtics. And it wouldn’t be a Christmas Day slate without the Rockets and Warriors squaring off.

MLK Day highlights, Jan. 20:

Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20) is arguably the second biggest basketball day (apart from the league’s opening week) of the season – with the biggest being Christmas Day. MLK Day is generally an action-filled day that features most of the league, with the biggest of matchups taking place on primetime television.

This year will be no different with 28 NBA teams slated to be in action on Jan 20, with the marquee matchup being the Rockets vs. Thunder – or, the night Russell Westbrook returns to Oklahoma City.

Other Notable Games:

Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets – Nov. 7 (Kemba Walker makes his illustrious return to Charlotte)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans – Nov. 27 (Anthony Davis returns to New Orleans)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors – Dec. 11 (Kawhi returns to Toronto)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors – Nov. 13
New Orleans Pelicans vs New York Knicks – Jan. 10 (Zion Williamson vs. RJ Barrett)
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Nov. 23 (Jimmy Butler returns to Philly)