The NBA is coming off one of its most captivating calendar years in recent memory. Between the Warriors’ run to a record-breaking regular season, the Cavaliers’ stunning comeback in the NBA Finals and Kevin Durant’s defection to Golden State this summer, it feels like interest in the league has never been higher.
NBA schedule 2016-17: The 10 best games of the season
Kevin Durant’s return to Oklahoma City highlights the new NBA schedule.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
What can the NBA do for an encore? It’s time to let the imagination run wild after the release of the 2016-17 schedule on Thursday.
All eyes will be on how Golden State integrates Durant into a team that won 73 games last year. The Warriors kick off their season against the Spurs on Oct. 25. Across the country, LeBron James is gearing up to defend his title after starring in his sixth straight trip to the NBA Finals. Can anyone stop the Cavs in the East?
The NBA schedule is full of great games next season. Here’s a look at 10 of our favorites.
10. 76ers vs. Lakers, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The first pro meeting between Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons might be the only reason to watch the Lakers and Sixers all year.
9. Wolves vs. Pelicans, Nov. 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
This is the hipster pick on the schedule because it pits the league’s two most exciting big men against one another. Karl-Anthony Towns looks like the league’s next great player after surging to the Rookie of the Year award last season, but he has to get past New Orleans’ Anthony Davis first. The meeting between the two former Kentucky Wildcats offers an enticing glimpse into the league’s future.
8. Knicks vs. Bulls, Nov. 4, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Emotions will be running high at the United Center as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah make their return to Chicago. Rose and Noah never won a championship with the Bulls, but they did give the city an MVP award, a 62-win season and a team the fans could be proud of. It will look awfully strange to see them in Chicago wearing blue and orange.
7. Spurs vs. Warriors, Oct. 25, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
It’s easy to forget that San Antonio’s 67-win season was one of the best regular season records ever. Now that Tim Duncan has retired, can the Spurs still be a real challenger in the West? Their first meeting with Golden State could answer that question.
6. Raptors vs. Celtics, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET
Who’s the second-best team in the East? The first meeting between the Celtics and Raptors will give us a clue. Boston added Al Horford to a team that won 48 games last year, while Toronto re-signed DeMar DeRozan and lost playoff hero Bismack Biyombo this summer. This could be a fun one.
5. Warriors vs. Clippers, Dec. 7, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Clippers are on the brink. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul can each become free agents next summer. After five years of coming up short, can LA finally break through? Every Warriors-Clippers game will be a must watch, but we chose this one.
4. Cavaliers vs. Raptors, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Toronto is another year wiser after pushing the Cavs to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Playoff hero Biyombo has moved to Orlando, but DeRozan is back in the mix after signing a max contract this summer. Do the Raps have enough to push Cleveland even harder this year?
3. Bulls vs. Heat, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Dwyane Wade’s first trip back to Miami will be nostalgic for everyone involved. Wade’s ending with the Heat was bitter, but it will be hard to fight back the emotions as he visits the Heat for the first time in November.
2. Warriors vs. Cavaliers, Dec. 25, 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC
It would be a gigantic upset if the Cavs and Warriors aren’t playing in the NBA Finals for a third straight year. Our first glimpse at Golden State-Cleveland Round III happens on Christmas Day, this time featuring Kevin Durant.
1. Warriors at Thunder, Feb. 11, 8: 30 p.m. ET, ABC
The first time the Thunder and Warriors meet this year is Nov. 3, but we’re more interested in Durant’s return to Oklahoma City, which somehow doesn’t happen until February.
The Thunder were so close to knocking off the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals last year. Instead, Golden State came back from the 3-1 deficit and Durant decided to switch sides this summer.
How will KD be received in OKC? What happens the first time Durant switches on Russell Westbrook? How will Westbrook channel his unparalleled intensity against his former friend? There will be a sense of cathartic release in Durant’s first trip back to OKC. The result is anyone’s guess.
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