The 2021-22 NBA season starts off in style as the defending champions take on one of the biggest threats to their throne.
2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks begin their title defense on Opening Night when they host Kevin Durant and the Nets. The teams take the floor to meet one another exactly four months after an epic Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in which Antetokounmpo and Durant each put on virtuoso performances to lead their teams, with the Bucks just edging the Nets in overtime.
MORE: Is Giannis or KD the best player in the NBA?
While Giannis will have the benefit of playing alongside two star teammates Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, KD will only be joined by James Harden as the Nets announced that superstar guard Kyrie Irving will not be allowed to join the team until he is "eligible to be a full participant" with respect to New York City rules surrounding individuals unvaccinated for COVID-19.
Irving might not be able to take the floor, but having a duo of two of the league's top 10 players in Durant and Harden is still nothing short of impressive. Will those two be enough to spoil the Bucks' ring night festivities? Here's what you need to know about how to watch Nets vs. Bucks on the NBA's Opening Night.
MORE: Latest updates on Irving's status with Nets
What channel is Nets vs. Bucks on?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Nets vs. Bucks can be watched on TNT for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch TNT.
What time does Nets vs. Bucks start?
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 19
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Nets vs. Bucks is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The game will be played at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Bucks schedule 2021-22
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 19 | vs. Nets | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 21 | at Heat | 8 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 23 | at Spurs | 8:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 25 | at Pacers | 7 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 27 | vs. Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 30 | vs. Spurs | 8 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Jazz | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 2 | at Pistons | 7 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 5 | vs. Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 7 | at Wizards | 6 p.m. | – |
Nets schedule 2021-22
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 19 | at Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 21 | at 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Hornets | 4 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 25 | vs. Wizards | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Oct. 27 | vs. Heat | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 29 | vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Pistons | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 3 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 5 | at Pistons | 7 p.m. | – |
| Nov. 7 | at Raptors | 3:30 p.m. | – |
(All times Eastern)
2021-22 NBA Opening Week schedule
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA returns to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season. The above Opening Night matchup is the first of 12 marquee games of Opening Week of the NBA season.
The first four days of the season will feature eight national television games. Those games will showcase:
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 17, 2021
• 12 different teams
• The last eight players to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award
• Three rematches from last season’s playoffs. pic.twitter.com/B6ccuTTTb5
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Regular season begins: Oct. 19
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
