What better way to start a new NBA season than with a contest featuring one of the league's greatest players facing his former team?
Kevin Durant will see a few familiar faces on Opening Night as his Nets meet the Warriors to tip off the 2020-21 season. The 32-year-old forward's last appearance in a game that mattered came on June 10, 2019, when Durant, then a member of the Warriors, logged 12 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals before falling to the floor with a torn Achilles. After leaving Golden State for Brooklyn in free agency last year, Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season and prepared for his comeback tour. Now the Nets are hoping a healthy Durant and Kyrie Irving can lead them to championship glory.
As for Durant's old franchise, the Warriors will rely on two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry to guide Golden State back to the playoffs after an injury-plagued season. He must carry the offensive load with fellow "Splash Brother" Klay Thompson recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered during an offseason workout. Curry should have Draymond Green by his side this year, but the former Defensive Player of the Year is doubtful for the opener with a muscle strain in his right foot.
Are you ready for some hoops? Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Warriors vs. Nets on the NBA's Opening Night.
MORE: Sporting News' predictions for 2020-21 NBA season
What channel is Warriors vs. Nets on?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Warriors vs. Nets can be watched on TNT for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch TNT. Clippers vs. Lakers will tip off following the conclusion of the Golden State-Brooklyn game.
Warriors vs. Nets start time
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 22
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
Warriors vs. Nets is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The game will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Fans will not be permitted to attend in accordance with state guidelines.
Warriors schedule 2020-21
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 22 | at Nets | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 25 | at Bucks | 2:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Dec. 27 | at Bulls | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 29 | at Pistons | 7 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 1 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 3 | vs. Trail Blazers | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 4 | vs. Kings | 10 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 6 | vs. Clippers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 8 | vs. Clippers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 10 | vs. Raptors | 8:30 p.m. | — |
Nets schedule 2020-21
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Warriors | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 25 | at Celtics | 5 p.m. | ABC |
| Dec. 27 | at Hornets | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 30 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 1 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 3 | vs. Wizards | 6 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 7 | vs. 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Jan. 8 | at Grizzlies | 8 p.m. | — |
NBA schedule for 2020-21
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 COVID-19 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:
- 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
