10 MOST ANTICIPATED GAMES OF THE EARLY SEASON

Here are the top 10 early-season games that you absolutely must see, along with some information on why.

1. Lakers at. Nuggets, 24 October 23 at 7:30 ET

The top sports studio programme A delectable doubleheader is coming up within the NBA, including a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, which weren’t really played last spring. Coach Michael Malone continually harped on the public’s fascination with the Lakers and perceived disdain for Denver during the process of the Nuggets sweeping the Lakers into the offseason.

LeBron James found the Nuggets’ title victory celebration to be amusing/annoying because of the tune that persisted the entire time. So, L.A. has an early opportunity to poke the championship bear and gain some satisfaction, to paraphrase Dillon Brooks.

2. 2. Suns at Warriors, October 24 at 10 p.m. ET on TNT

The people who construct the schedules either have a sense of humour, a dark side, or both. Why else would they rush to get Chris Paul and the Suns onto the court, this time on different benches? Paul was abruptly replaced by Bradley Beal over the summer, and this offers a glimpse of what’s to come for both players.

At this point, can Beal burn off some respectable minutes? In a backcourt with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, how will Paul carve out significant playing time? Making an early impression on a tough opponent like Phoenix will serve as a decent gauge for Paul’s championship chances.

3. October 25 at 9:30 ET, ESPN, Mavericks at. Spurs

It doesn’t happen often for a team to be one of the featured games of the new season after winning just 22 games the previous year. Nevertheless, Victor Wembanyama! On this day, The Next Big Thing will make its premiere, and from here to Paris, there will be much expectation.

LeBron James set a record for a player who transitioned from prep school to the professionals by scoring 25 points in his debut, just as a point of comparison. Anyone familiar with the French player-to-pros debut scoring mark? cling on. Look it up right now.

4. Suns vs. Lakers, October 26 at 10 p.m. ET on TNT

When was the last time LeBron James and Kevin Durant faced each other? How about on December 25th, 2018? Absolutely, it has been far too long. Due primarily to Durant’s ailments, these two all-time greats were able to avoid each other.

Finally, the day will come (ideally, right before Halloween), when the basketball world will hopefully receive a treat rather than being deceived once more. Durant was set to play LeBron on March 22 of last year after being traded to Phoenix, but that matchup was postponed due to an ankle injury sustained, of all things, during pregame warmups a few weeks before.

5. Celtics at Heat, October 27 @ 7:30 ET on ESPN

People in Boston are still in disbelief about the Celtics’ home Game 7 loss to Miami last spring, which cost them a chance to reach the NBA Finals. The Celtics were the clear favourites at the time, but Jimmy Butler had other plans.

Boston suffered a devastating loss as a result of what was likely the largest non-Finals triumph in Heat history. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in particular had no answers in that game and, really, that series. If the Heat are able to complete a significant trade and acquire a specific player from the Western Conference between now and then, this game may have even greater significance.

6. NBA League Pass will have Heat vs. Bucks on October 30 @ 8 ET.

If Milwaukee could go back in time, it would humbly request that Giannis Antetokounmpo be kept fit for the Bucks’ playoff matchup with Miami in the spring of last year. Jimmy Butler, who attended Marquette University, became king of Milwaukee during Giannis’s brief absence from the series, and Miami pulled off the surprising victory. Giannis missed slightly over two games total.

Giannis will miss the FIBA competition because of surgery on his left knee earlier this summer, but he is anticipated to be ready for training camp at the time of this contest, which is the third game of Milwaukee’s season. Both teams play again on November 28 in Miami, just in case there are any surprises.

7. Warriors against. Wizards, December 22 @ 10 ET, ESPN

When the teams enter the floor for the pregame handshake, there will be intense anticipation and a quiet atmosphere at Chase Centre. How will Draymond Green and Jordan Poole engage with one another? An intense embrace? Doing the gestures of a high five? Or does Poole completely disregard him? Inquisitive brains are curious.

The player-to-player acknowledgement in this game, the first between Poole and his former teammates, will be the most closely watched in recent NBA history. simply because, you know. Poole will undoubtedly receive a warm reception from the crowd, if only for his performance when the Warriors won the championship two years ago.

8. Pelicans at Grizzlies, December 19 @ 7:30 ET, TNT

The 26th game of the Grizzlies’ schedule is this one, and Ja Morant will be able to play for the first time following a 25-game suspension. There is a lot to learn this evening: In which position do the Grizzlies now stand? How much of the franchise player’s loss has Marcus Smart absorbed?

The most crucial question is: Will Morant be rusty or prepared? The Grizzlies oddly and understandably chose not to use Morant’s image to promote the team’s schedule for the In-Season Tournaments since, well, Morant won’t be participating in any of them. I have a sneaking suspicion that he will get splashed all over before this game.

9. Suns at Mavericks, December 25 @ 10:30 ET, ESPN

Since the Suns and Devin Booker in particular have a history, Luka Doncic enjoys tormenting them both. Anyhow, we’re giving Luka a huge regular-season stage here and giving him the chance to enrage his old buddies. Book vs. Luka is merely the supporting act. The major event is Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant sharing the same floor but wearing different uniforms.

The first meeting between the former teammates since their Brooklyn separation took place back in March, and by all accounts, it was a success. Therefore, Mavs-Suns is entertaining to watch long after the presents have been opened and the spiced eggnog has begun to take effect.

10. Nuggets against. Sixers, January 27 @ 5:30 ET, ABC

Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic. There is nothing left to say. The first encounter between the top big men in the league and the Kia MVP winners will have to wait until the season is about to enter February. No matter when or where they play, these two are almost certain to put up an engaging performance.