The NBA regular season begins on the night of Tuesday October 22 to Wednesday October 23. Act 2 by Victor Wembanyama, key dates, TV channels, times, favorites, French to follow… Here is everything you need to know.
More than four months after the Boston Celtics’ coronation against the Dallas Mavericks, the withdrawal is finally over for NBA fans. On the night of Tuesday October 22 to Wednesday October 23, the North American league resumes its rights with the start of the regular season. Act 2 by Victor Wembanyama, key dates, TV channels, times, favorites, French to follow… Here is everything you need to know.
What is the schedule and schedule for the 2024-2025 NBA season?
The NBA regular season begins on the night of Tuesday October 22 to Wednesday October 23 with two shocks on the program: Boston Celtics-New York Knicks (1:30 a.m. French time) and Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves (4 a.m. French time). As usual, the 30 franchises, divided into two Conferences (East and West), will each play 82 regular season matches. The latter ends on 13 avril 2025.
The play-in, a mini-tournament for access to the playoffs between the teams ranked 7th to 10th place in each Conference, will be organized between the April 15 and 18.
The playoffs, which pit the six best teams from the regular season against each other in each Conference and the two teams emerging victorious from the play-in, will begin on 19 avril. Finally, the NBA Finals, between the two winners of each Conference, begin on June 5.
Another key date of the season: the NBA Cup, or In-Season Tournament, tournament organized at the same time as the regular season. This NBA Cup will take place between November 12 and December 17.
For the French, the event not to be missed is the two regular season matches relocated to Paris (Accor Arena), the January 23 and 25. These two meetings will pit Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs against the Indiana Pacers.
Finally, the NBA All-Star weekend, with the Rising Stars Challenge game, the Skills Challenge, the three-point contest, the dunk contest and the traditional All-Star Game, is organized in San Francisco, in the hall usual of the Golden State Warriors, February 14 to 16.
Key dates for the 2024-2025 NBA season
- Start of the regular season: on the night of October 22 to 23
- NBA Cup (In-Season Tournament): November 12-December 17
- NBA Paris Games (San Antonio Spurs-Indiana Pacers): January 23 and 25
- All-Star weekend: February 14-16
- End of regular season: April 13
- Play-in Tournament: 15-18 avril
- Start of the playoffs: April 19
- NBA Finals start: June 5
On which channel and at what time are the matches broadcast?
This season, the matches will once again be broadcast on beIN Sportsbefore the arrival of Amazon Prime Video for the broadcast of meetings in France over the period 2025-2036. Last season, beIN Sports broadcast more than 400 matches. The 2024-2025 NBA season will also be available in full via NBA League Pass.
Regarding meeting times, they fluctuate between 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. (French time). On Sundays, certain matches are broadcast around 9 p.m. (French time).
What are the goals of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs?
After a historic rookie season, Victor Wembanyama sets out to conquer the NBA again. The French phenomenon, who notably developed his muscles by gaining 11kg in one year, will have to confirm after his successful debut. The Olympic runner-up should prove even more dominant, with statistics expected to increase and potentially an All-Star Game selection and a Defender of the Year title.
For Wembanyama, the challenge will also be to win more matches than last season. In 2023-24, the San Antonio Spurs posted the 26th worst record in the NBA (out of 30 teams), with 22 wins and 60 losses. Even if the squad is still young and developing, the patience advocated for Wembanyama’s first year should gradually fade. The Frenchman’s stated objective is to qualify for the playoffs. For that, the Texas franchise will have to win at least 15 or 20 more games than last season. To try to achieve this, the Spurs can count on the arrival of Chris Paul, at the end of his career (39 years old) after having been one of the best leaders in the league over the past two decades. The experienced Harrison Barnes and the rookie Stephon Castle, selected in fourth position in the last draft, are also expected as strong reinforcements.
Who are the other French people to follow this season?
France hit very hard in the last draft, with three French representatives in the top 6: Zaccharie Risacher (N°1, Atlanta Hawks), Alexandre Sarr (N°2, Washington Wizards) et Tidjane Salaün (N°6, Charlotte Hornets). Pacôme Dadiet (No. 25, New York Knicks) was also selected in the first round. Zacharie Risacher, who inherits the burden of the first choice in the draft, will inevitably be eagerly awaited. But the French winger should have playing time to express himself, just like Alexandre Sarr. In Charlotte, Salaün will have to earn his place against serious competition for his position.
Arrived in the NBA at the same time as Wembanyama, his teammate at Boulogne-Levallois during the 2022-2023 season, Bilal Coulibaly must confirm his very good rookie season in Washington. Another member of the 2023 draft class, Sidy Cissoko will try to make his mark at the San Antonio Spurs. Among experienced French people, Nicolas Batum (Los Angeles Clippers) et Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) appear as the guides of the new generation, knowing that Evan Fournier returned to Europe (Olympiacos) this summer. After a first mixed experience between 2017 and 2019, in Boston, Guerschon Yabuselesparkling at the Olympic Games, will try to establish itself in the North American league. The tricolor interior arrives at the Philadelphia Sixers, alongside Joel Embiid.
Finally, Moussa Diabaté (Charlotte Hornets), Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City Thunder), Rayan Rupert (Portland Trail Blazers) et Armel Traore (Los Angeles Lakers) will fight to scratch a few minutes in their team’s rotation. Injured and not retained by the Brooklyn Nets, Killian Hayes should for his part engage with Long Island, in the G-League, the antechamber of the NBA.
Who are the favorites for the title?
Sacred last June, the Boston Celtics of Jayson Tatum are expected to be the favorites in their own succession. In the East, they will have to face competition from New York Knicksreinforced by the arrivals of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, and Philadelphia Sixerswhich recorded the signature of Paul George. THE Milwaukee Bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpo could also have their say.
In the West, the Dallas Mavericksunhappy finalists in 2023-2024, have revenge to take, especially since the teammates of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving brought in Klay Thompson. First of the last regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder is also a favorite, while the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves complete the horde of very serious contenders for the title.
