Ranking best NBA games in 2025-26, from Luka Doncic's Lakers vs. Mavericks to Kevin Durant's Rockets vs. Thunder

Ranking best NBA games in 2025-26, from Luka Doncic's Lakers vs. Mavericks to Kevin Durant's Rockets vs. Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News

The 2025-26 NBA season won't begin until the end of October, but fans were given their first glimpse at the schedule when it was released during the week of Aug. 11.

After releasing the NBA's opening week and holiday schedules, the complete schedule for the 2025-26 season was released on Thursday, Aug. 14. Opening week is a big one for the defending champion Thunder, as they'll receive their rings and raise a banner in Oklahoma City on opening night before hitting the road for an NBA Finals rematch two days later.

Highlights of the NBA schedule include playoff rematches and marquee matchups on some of the league's tentpole dates. As with every season, there will be plenty to look forward to.

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With the full schedule upon us, The Sporting News looks at 15 of the best games on the 2025-26 season.

15 best games on the 2025-26 NBA schedule

1. Rockets vs. Thunder

Date: Oct. 21

The 2025-26 season is going to begin with a bang.

Kevin Durant makes his Houston debut in the city where he became an MVP, only this time, the Thunder will be raising a championship banner that he had nothing to do with. The defending champions are led by their latest MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is somehow only getting better.

The Rockets and Thunder are expected to be among the last two teams standing in the West this season, and opening night provides an early-season opportunity for a statement victory. 

As a bonus, this will be the first NBA game on NBC in over 23 years. And that means "Roundball Rock" is back, too.

MORE: First look at 2025 Rockets roster with Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and more

2. Spurs vs. Mavericks

Date: Oct. 22

As the Texas rivals square off on opening night for a third straight season, there may be more star power than ever before.

Dallas' No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will make his NBA debut against the league's two most recent Rookies of the Year, Stephon Castle and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama. In addition to that Rookie of the Year duo, Flagg will go up against his draft classmate and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper.

And while the future will be well represented, the star power doesn't stop there. Dallas' Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson will be rejuvenated after a full offseason, while San Antonio's De'Aaron Fox is back with a lucrative contract extension to his name. This marks the beginning of a new chapter of a classic NBA rivalry.

MORE: Grading Cooper Flagg's Summer League performance in Las Vegas

3. Rockets vs. Warriors

Date: Nov. 25

Rockets-Warriors playoff rematch? Check. Kevin Durant facing his former team? Check. Another layer to the rivalry? Of course.

Years after Durant was one of the forces helping Golden State fend off Houston during postseason battles, he'll take on a different role. The man who won two Finals MVPs in a Warriors uniform (and won't let their fanbase forget it) is now on the other side of things with the Rockets.

Them finals mvps I won hurt you. Scarred alot of warrior fans when my name was announced

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 10, 2025

In the 2025 playoffs, the Rockets couldn't get past the Warriors because they did not have a go-to guy. Now, Houston has one in Durant and potentially three, based on the anticipated growth of rising stars Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.

4. Nuggets vs. Thunder

Date:

The seven-game series between the Nuggets and Thunder was one of the best in recent memory.  This one is going to have it all.

A matchup featuring the last two MVPs in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic also pits the 2025 champion Thunder against the 2023 champion Nuggets. After losing to OKC, Denver revamped its roster, and many believe it can be the best in the West.

Regular-season meetings will teach us plenty.

MORE: Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won 2025 MVP over Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo

5. Bucks vs. Pacers

Date:

It's not much of a secret that the Bucks and Pacers aren't too fond of each other. Indiana has eliminated Milwaukee in each of the last two NBA Playoffs, with tensions rising each time.

If that weren't enough for the matchup, it intensified when Myles Turner left the Pacers to join the Bucks this offseason.

Tyrese Haliburton won't be on the court, but his pops will likely be in the stands when Turner comes back to the place many believed he'd spend his whole career. Add Giannis Antetokounmpo into the mix, and this is going to feel like a playoff game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

6. Mavericks vs. Lakers

Date: Nov. 28

It's hard to envision any list of NBA games to watch that does not feature Luka Doncic facing off against his former team.

This time, however, it is an NBA Cup matchup that doubles as Anthony Davis' first time playing as a visitor at Crypto.com Arena since being traded to the Mavs. It'll also be the first head-to-head matchup between Cooper Flagg and LeBron James, two of the four former No. 1 overall picks slated to take the floor in this game.

There will be plenty of talent on the floor and countless narratives at play.

MORE: The details of Luka Doncic's contract extension with the Lakers

7. Thunder vs. Pacers

Date: Oct. 23

It's a bummer that Tyrese Haliburton won't be involved, but the first Finals rematch comes less than a week into the season, and there are still plenty of reasons to look forward to it. Besides, the Pacers are typically at their best when their backs are against the wall.

Just four months after the epic seven-game series ended, things shift back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Finals heroes T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Pascal Siakam will adopt the next-man-up mentality with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren in town.

8. Knicks vs. Cavaliers

Date: Oct. 22

Championships aren't won on paper, but in the lead-up to the season, New York and Cleveland will be viewed as the best in the East.

These two teams are also slated to meet on Christmas Day, which should tell you all you need to know about how the league lauds this matchup. A game featuring Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley has plenty of star power, and there's a list of several other players who could be named there, too.

Just as championships aren't won on paper, the East isn't won during the regular season. But statements can be made.

9. Lakers vs. Celtics

Date:

Without Jayson Tatum, one of the greatest rivalries in sports loses some luster, but Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Marcus Smart will still be involved.

Did I mention Smart is going to be playing in purple and gold?

The one-time heart and soul of the Celtics franchise is now playing for their most hated rival, and it will be a spectacle during L.A.'s lone visit to Boston's TD Garden. The rivalry itself is worth the price of admission, but the extra dynamic makes it all the more interesting.

MORE: How the Lakers prioritized Luka Doncic with Marcus Smart signing

10. Hawks vs. Knicks

Date:

There is plenty that can be said about the improved Hawks going against a staunch Knicks squad, but let's be real: It's Trae Young in New York City.

Oh, and now Atlanta has Kristaps Porzingis in tow, someone who seems to save his best for the franchise that drafted him.

11. Lakers vs. Timberwolves

Date:

You've gotta love a playoff rematch. After Minnesota did away with L.A. in five games last April, the Lakers are looking to show that they've improved in areas that were exploited.

Outside of the spotlight that will inevitably be on stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Anthony Edwards, L.A. will hope to get the most out of former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.

Rudy Gobert exposed the Lakers' lack of a starting-caliber big man, and Ayton will be tasked with living up to the billing. This matchup is one of many in which Ayton can prove his long-term value for the franchise.

12. Pistons vs. Knicks

Date: 

Detroit tripled its win total from 2023-24 to earn the East's No. 6 seed in 2024-25. The Pistons' reward was a first-round date with the Knicks in the NBA Playoffs.

By all accounts, Detroit was ready for the moment — Cade Cunningham proved to be an ideal playoff player, and the Pistons had the upper hand for much of the series before coming up short. Detroit now has an opportunity to prove itself against a revamped New York squad that many think could be the best in the East.

13. Clippers vs. Lakers

Date: Nov. 25

Last year, the Battle of L.A. entered a new chapter with Luka Doncic entering the mix. This year, some new — and familiar — faces are involved with Chris Paul back in a Clippers uniform alongside new acquisitions Bradley Beal, John Collins, and one-time Laker Brook Lopez.

At this stage of their respective careers, there may not be many more times that Paul, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard will have an opportunity to compete against LeBron James. Given the battles they've had in the past, it's important to cherish what is left.

MORE: How Bradley Beal, Chris Paul fit within revamped Clippers rotation

14. Rockets vs. Suns

Date:

Kevin Durant return games may feel like they're slightly overdone, but the matchup between Houston and Phoenix is about everyone involved in the offseason blockbuster deal.

Jalen Green 'jokingly' said he'd "drop 30" on his former team, and Dillon Brooks unsurprisingly added fuel to the fire during a Summer League media session.

Jalen Green asked Dillon Brooks about the historic 7-team trade as the Houston Rockets dealt them to Phoenix Suns in acquiring Kevin Durant.

"I love the trade. It gives me and Jalen an opportunity."

Green's response: "Motivation."

Clears throat. "Motivation." #Suns#Rocketspic.twitter.com/trXaiL9RWd

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 12, 2025

This has the makings of a fun one.

15. Magic vs. Hawks

Date:

The Eastern Conference is wide open this season, so why not one of the up-and-comers?

Atlanta may have had the best offseason in the league, adding Nickeil-Alexander Walker and Kristaps Porzingis to an already talented roster headlined by Trae Young. Not far behind them is Orlando, which addressed its biggest flaw by acquiring Desmond Bane.

Each of the matchups between these divisional foes is going to feel like a turf war to establish supremacy as being next up in the East.