Now that the NBA regular season is around the corner, fans will get their first look at the new lineups, rotations, and newbies on the 2025 NBA preseason. As the exhibition schedule opens on Oct. 2 and it will go on until Oct. 17, the league is the fans plenty to watch prior to the official Opening Night.
When does the NBA preseason 2025 start?
Real action will take place on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, as the New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers to one of the NBA’s newly yearly global exhibitions. After that, they will return back to the U.S. where teams will disperse across U.S. arenas, with preseason games lasting two weeks.
The final day of preseason action is October 17, which leaves teams with only a few days to lock down rotations and get ready for the start of the regular season on October 21.
How many preseason games?
Every team has a certain number of exhibitions, between four to five games, so coaches can try out new lineups, evaluate new players, and gradually get their performers in perfect game conditions. While the wins or losses will not be that important as a season game, preseason play often predicts which rookies or reserves will become key and crucial once the season gets underway.
Fans do not need look much to watch preseason action.
- NBA TV will broadcast a big number of matchups during the month.
- ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast selection high-profile games.
- NBA League Pass will also stream preseason games, particularly for out-of-market consumers.
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) will broadcast local team broadcasts as well, with streaming permitted on YouTube TV and Fubo.
Premier preseason games
Some of the top games on the schedule are:
- Knicks vs. 76ers (October 2, Abu Dhabi)
- Nets vs. Raptors (October 5)
- Warriors vs. Clippers (October 10)
- Lakers vs. Kings (October 15)
The games will provide fans with a glimpse into how superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and young rookies are preparing for the new season.
The importance of the preseason
To the players, the preseason is more than just an informal warm-up. Veterans get a chance to recover conditioning, while young players and newcomers fight for a position on the roster. The coaches experiment with rotations, offense sets, and defensive schemes, laying down the ground work for the tough 82-game regular season.
For the fans, it is a preview to anticipate what thay may see and an opportunity to observe how new draft picks, trades, and acquisitions fill out the picture.
Therefore, the 2025 NBA preseason will be played from Oct. 2 to Oct. 17, with action on NBA TV, ESPN/ESPN2, League Pass, and local networks. Though the wins do not count toward the standings, the game, minutes, and player growth most definitely will once regular season play begins.
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