There will be two games played that night, both airing on NBC and Peacock. Over the past two seasons, the NBA season has begun on the fourth Tuesday in October. Due to the 2025 calendar, the new season will start a week earlier, on the third Tuesday in October.

The Oklahoma City Thunder felt slighted last season when they were left off the NBA’s Christmas schedule. That won’t be an issue this year.

The NBA announced on Tuesday that the season will begin on Oct. 21 with a doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. In the first game, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will meet star forward Kevin Durant and the new-look Houston Rockets. In the nightcap, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Golden State Warriors.