Anticipated 2025-26 NBA Regular Season Showdowns (Top 5)

The 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several highly anticipated games on the schedule.

The season kicks off on October 21 with a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, marking the start of a new era for both teams. This game is significant due to the trade of Luka Dončić to the Lakers and the subsequent drafting of Cooper Flagg by the Mavericks. Dončić will face his former team for the first time as a Laker, making for an intriguing matchup.

On December 25, the Dallas Mavericks will take on the Golden State Warriors in a game that will be broadcast on ABC. Klay Thompson, who will be playing for the Mavericks against his former team, and Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick, will make their Christmas Day debuts in this much-anticipated game. Megan Thee Stallion will also be in attendance, adding to the excitement.

Another star-studded game to watch out for is the meeting between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers on November 28. The game features Luka Dončić facing his former team, as well as LeBron James and key players like Maxi Kleber and Max Christie for the Mavericks. This game is highly anticipated due to these star matchups.

The 2025-26 season also marks LeBron James' 23rd season in the NBA. Anthony Davis has also joined the Lakers, adding to their roster's firepower.

In the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets, who were the No. 2 seed in the previous season's playoffs, will face off against the San Antonio Spurs on January 20. This game is part of the NBA's Rivals Week and will see Kevin Durant playing for the Rockets against the Spurs.

The Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game on February 1 could have a significant impact on the 2026 MVP Award, featuring Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This game will also mark the debut of NBC's Sunday Night Basketball.

The San Antonio Spurs could be starting the Victor Wembanyama era in the 2025-26 season, adding another layer of intrigue to the games they play.

This could potentially be one of the last LeBron vs. Curry matchups, making every game between their teams worth watching. Additionally, this will be the first time Cooper Flagg and LeBron James (Sr.) play against each other in the NBA.

The full schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season's ABC and ESPN broadcasts has been released, ensuring fans won't miss a moment of the action. With so many exciting matchups and debuts, this season promises to be one to remember.