The 2024-25 NBA season officially begins on October 22, with opening day marking the start of months of basketball action. This is when fans finally see how their favorite teams look after the off-season. Key player trades, draft picks, and offseason acquisitions are put to the test. This opening stretch of games gives us early insight into how contenders and rebuilders are shaping up. By this time, teams must have finalized their rosters by October 21 at 5 p.m. ET.
For fans eager to catch preseason developments, the NBA G League Draft takes place on October 26, shortly before the start of the G League training camp from October 28 to November 7.
International Games & Emirates NBA Cup
One of the more exciting aspects of the NBA is its international appeal, and this season, there are several marquee international events. The NBA Mexico City Game 2024 is scheduled for November 2, where the Miami Heat will face the Washington Wizards. These games in international arenas show the NBA's continued effort to grow its global footprint, giving fans in Mexico an opportunity to witness NBA action up close.
An even bigger spectacle begins with the Emirates NBA Cup, kicking off on November 12. This new tournament adds a layer of excitement to the season. The Group Stage runs until December 3, followed by knockout rounds leading to the Semifinals on December 14 and the Championship Game on December 17 in Las Vegas. The Emirates Cup not only intensifies competition but also provides teams with additional motivation and potential bragging rights beyond the standard regular season.
Mid-Season Storylines: Contracts, Trades, and All-Star Festivities
Moving into the heart of the NBA season, January brings significant developments. On January 5, players are eligible to sign 10-day contracts, which allow teams to test out players for short stints—crucial for teams dealing with injuries or seeking fresh energy.
January 10 is another critical date, as all NBA contracts become guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Teams will need to finalize their roster decisions by this point, as it marks the cut-off for waiving or trading players without financial repercussions.
One of the most highly anticipated weeks of the regular season is NBA Rivals Week, which takes place from January 21 to 25. This week showcases intense matchups between historical rivals, reigniting old tensions and creating electrifying moments.
Additionally, international basketball action continues with the NBA Paris Games 2025, where the San Antonio Spurs will take on the Indiana Pacers on January 23 and 25 in Paris, France.
As we head into February, the trade deadline looms. Teams must make all trades by February 6 at 3 p.m. ET. This deadline often serves as a turning point for many franchises, as teams on the playoff bubble might make moves to secure their position, while others might look toward rebuilding by trading key players.
Right after the trade deadline, the spotlight turns to the biggest mid-season event: NBA All-Star Weekend. From February 14-16, San Francisco will host NBA All-Star 2025. This break offers a chance for players to rest, but for the league's top talent, it’s a time to showcase their skills in front of the world. Fans can look forward to the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest, and the All-Star Game itself, which gathers the best of the best for a highly anticipated showcase.
Playoffs, Finals, and the Road to the Championship
As the regular season winds down, the chase for playoff spots heats up. March 1 is the Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline, by which players must be waived to be eligible for a new team’s playoff roster. Teams are vying for positioning in the final stretch, making every game in March crucial. At this stage, analysts begin to speculate on potential outcomes and playoff predictions, looking closely at team performance and how they match up. This is when NBA odds come into play, as fans and experts alike start discussing which teams are most likely to make a deep playoff run and potentially win it all.
The regular season officially concludes on April 13, and teams then lock in their rosters for the playoffs by April 14 at 3 p.m. ET. For the teams that narrowly missed securing a top spot in their conference, the SoFi Play-In Tournament offers a last chance to secure a postseason berth. This tournament takes place from April 15-18, determining the final playoff spots.
The real action begins on April 19 when the NBA Playoffs 2025 officially start. The best teams in the league will battle through the First Round, Conference Semifinals (starting on May 5-6, with the possibility of moving up to May 3-4), and Conference Finals, all in pursuit of the coveted NBA Championship.
Finally, the culmination of the entire season, the NBA Finals, is set to begin on June 5. This is where legends are made, and teams cement their legacies as champions. The Finals represent the highest level of competition in basketball, where the last two standing teams will leave everything on the court to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 NBA season promises an exciting journey filled with critical moments that will shape the championship narrative. As the road to the NBA Finals unfolds, these key dates offer a roadmap to one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.
