With the National Basketball Association (NBA) returning for its 79th season, basketball fans can expect the highest level of competition when the 30 teams suit up on the hardcourt.
The 2024-25 NBA season as usual will be as long and as competitive as any other ones, with the usual break All-Star break in February, the postseason from April, and the second season of the NBA Cup.
Afrosport provides you with all you need to know about the incoming season.
When does the 2024-25 NBA season start?
The 2024-25 NBA season will tip-off on Tuesday, October 22, at TD Garden in Massachusetts, when the defending champions Boston Celtics hosts the New York Knicks in a clash of two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
How many teams will participate in the 2024-25 NBA season?
30 teams will participate in the new NBA season as usual, with 15 teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences as usual.
How many games will each team play in the 2024-25 NBA season?
Each NBA team will play 82 matches in the regular season, which includes all games in the NBA Cup except the Championship game. However, the number of games to be played in the postseason determines on the result from each round.
The #EmiratesNBACup 2024 Group Draw results!
Starting November 12, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 14 and 17! pic.twitter.com/K9BT9b1wT2
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2024
How does the 2024-25 NBA regular season work?
The goal of each team in the NBA is to win the Championship at the end of the season.
At the end of the regular season, the top 10 teams in each conference is guaranteed a spot in the postseason However, the top six teams will qualify automatically for the playoffs, while teams ranked 7-10 will compete in a play-in tournament to determine the final seventh and eighth spot in each conference.
What are the key dates in the 2024-25 NBA season?
As always, the NBA season is not just about the regular seasons, as other important dates also make up for the full length of the season.
- October 22, 2024: NBA regular season starts
- November 2, 2024: NBA Mexico City Game 2024 (Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards)
- November 12, 2024: Emirates NBA Cup (the in-season tournament) starts
- December 17, 2024: Emirates NBA Cup Championship
- January 23 & 25, 2025: NBA Paris Games (San Antonio Spurs vs Indiana Pacers)
- February 6, 2025: NBA trade deadline
- February 14-16, 2025: NBA All-Star Game (held in San Francisco, California)
- April 13, 2025: NBA regular season ends
- April 15-18: NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 19: NBA Playoffs begin
- June: NBA Finals (exact dates TBD)
What are the teams in the 2024-25 NBA season?
Eastern Conference teams
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Milwaukee Bucks
Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers
Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Brooklyn Nets
Toronto Raptors
Charlotte Hornets
Washington Wizards
Detroit Pistons
Western Conference teams
Oklahoma City Thunder
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas Mavericks
Phoenix Suns
New Orleans Pelicans
Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento Kings
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Utah Jazz
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Portland Trail Blazers
