11 Must-Watch NBA Games This Season

We were going to give you the standard 10, but it’s a leap year, and there’s a huge matchup on the extra day.

We surveyed our NBA crew to pick the set of games they are most looking forward to as we embark on another season.

Suns at Warriors Oct. 24

Opening night certainly won’t be lacking for intrigue, as Chris Paul makes his Golden State debut against his former team, while Kevin Durant faces his old crew.

Mavericks at Spurs Oct. 25

Will San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama live up to the hype? Is that even possible, given all the praise heaped upon the top pick in the draft? Because the phrase “since LeBron James” was used roughly a million times, here’s a reminder of the bar the King set 20 years ago in his coming out: 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and an L.

The hype surrounding Wembanyama’s debut could not be any bigger :: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

Suns at Lakers Oct. 26

One of the stranger NBA factoids is that LeBron and Durant haven’t played in the same game since Christmas Day 2018, when James’s Lakers routed the Warriors. If the two stay healthy, they’ll finally meet again. (Don’t worry about either player being rested: We’re pretty sure commissioner Adam Silver will be at this game with a hard copy of his new load management policy and a very stern look on his face.)

In-season Championship Dec. 9

After two knockout rounds earlier in the month, the two surviving teams will battle in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup—and a cool half a million bucks per player. (The title game will not count as a regular-season game, but all other tournament ties will.)

Wizards at Warriors Dec. 22

Don’t go looking for big things from Washington this year, but do expect some decent beef in this game. Last October, Golden State’s Draymond Green decked then teammate Jordan Poole at practice, which set the tone for a disjointed year for the Warriors. In the summer Poole was shipped to the Wiz in the CP3 deal.

Grizzlies at Hawks Dec. 23

Memphis’s Ja Morant could return from suspension in time for this matchup. The All-Star guard was banned for at least 25 games for flashing a gun on Instagram. The Grizz went 6–2 when he was suspended for eight games last March.

The Lillard–Giannis (34) combo will have a target on its back all season long / Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks at Knicks Dec. 25

The league’s Christmas Day marathon kicks off in New York, where the Knicks will look to improve upon their best season in 11 years against a Milwaukee team hoping to bounce back from a shocking first-round playoff loss. The NBA will have some serious competition for holiday eyeballs: The NFL features a Monday tripleheader for this occasion.

Mavericks at Suns Dec. 25

Do not expect warm holiday tidings to be shared in this face-off of stars Devin Booker and Luka Dončić, who’ve clearly got some smoke. Don’t take our word for it. After some jawing in March, that was how Booker described the state of the relationship. They’ve also got two of the most explosive offensive games in the league.

Grizzlies at Celtics Feb. 4

Boston raised some eyebrows by trading its best defensive player, Marcus Smart, in a three-team deal that netted the C’s Kristaps Porziņģis. Will Smart’s return to Boston ignite a case of seller’s remorse?

Hornets at Trail Blazers Feb. 25

It didn’t take long for the 2023 draft to provide a pick seemingly everyone was critical of. Charlotte took Brandon Miller with the second pick, passing on Scoot Henderson, who fell to Portland.

Heat at Nuggets Feb. 29

The season’s first Finals rematch, featuring two-time MVP Nikola Jokić and one-time SI guest editor Jimmy Butler, doesn’t come until after the All-Star break. They’ll meet again 13 days later.