Ready or not, a new season is coming soon.
The NBA has released its schedule for the first three days of the 2020-21 season. Opening Night features Kevin Durant going up against his former team and a battle for Los Angeles between the Clippers and reigning champion Lakers. There will be five games spread out across Christmas Day for maximum basketball consumption, so make sure you get some sleep the night before.
MORE: NBA's Zion Williamson obsession draws critics over Christmas Day game
NBA schedule 2021
Each team will play a 72-game schedule. Complete game and broadcast schedules for the first half of the season were revealed on Dec. 4. The league will announce the second half of the schedule separately in order to maintain flexibility amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA regular season game and broadcast schedule for the first half of the 2020-21 season begins December 22, 2020 and runs through March 4, 2021!
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2020
FULL SCHEDULE: https://t.co/tWuziferWB#KiaTipOff20 #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/6gA6xwkofA
Here's a tentative breakdown of 2020-21 NBA calendar:
- Preseason games: Dec. 11-19, 2020
- First half of regular season: Dec. 22, 2020-March 4, 2021
- All-Star break: March 5-10, 2021
- Second half of regular season: March 11-May 16, 2021
- Play-in tournament: May 18-21, 2021
- NBA playoffs: May 22-July 22, 2021
Tuesday, Dec. 22 (Opening Night)
(All times Eastern)
| Game | Time | National TV |
| Warriors vs. Nets | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Clippers vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Wednesday, Dec. 23
(All times Eastern)
| Game | Time | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Cavaliers | 7 p.m. | — |
| Knicks vs. Pacers | 7 p.m. | — |
| Heat vs. Magic | 7 p.m. | — |
| Wizards vs. 76ers | 7 p.m. | — |
| Bucks vs. Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Pelicans vs. Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Hawks vs. Bulls | 8 p.m. | — |
| Thunder vs. Rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 8 p.m. | — |
| Pistons vs. Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | — |
| Kings vs. Nuggets | 9 p.m. | — |
| Jazz vs. Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | — |
| Mavericks vs. Suns | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day)
(All times Eastern)
| Game | Time | National TV |
| Pelicans vs. Heat | Noon | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Bucks | 2:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Nets vs. Celtics | 5 p.m. | ABC |
| Mavericks vs. Lakers | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| Clippers vs. Nuggets | 10:30 p.m. | ABC |
