Basketball enthusiasts can rejoice as the 2025 NBA preseason is set to commence in early October, offering fans their first glimpse of the upcoming season’s rosters, rotations, and rookies. This year’s preseason promises to be an exciting lead-up to the regular season, which begins shortly thereafter.
The NBA preseason officially kicks off on October 2, 2025, featuring an international matchup between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi as part of the NBA International Series. Following this international opener, fans in the United States can look forward to a series of games taking place in various arenas across the country, starting in the first week of October.
Preseason schedules vary by team, but most franchises will participate in three to five games. For instance, the Golden State Warriors are slated to play five games, with three of those at their home venue, Chase Center. The New Orleans Pelicans will engage in four games, including two international matchups. Both the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled for four games as well.
The preseason serves as a crucial period for coaches and players alike, providing an opportunity to experiment with lineups and evaluate talent before the regular season gets underway. It allows teams to:
– Test new strategies and plays.
– Showcase rookies and offseason signings.
– Provide opportunities for fringe players to secure their spots on the roster.
– Generate excitement among fans who have eagerly awaited the return of basketball since the conclusion of the NBA Finals in June.
The preseason will last approximately two weeks, concluding on October 17, 2025. Just a few days later, the highly anticipated 2025-26 regular season will tip off on October 21. This brief window is essential for players and coaches to transition from preseason games to the intensity of a demanding 82-game regular season.
While victories during the preseason may not carry the weight of those in the regular season, they are instrumental in building team chemistry and setting the stage for the challenges ahead. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating preseason that lays the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting NBA season.
Mark your calendars: the NBA preseason begins on October 2 with the Knicks and 76ers in Abu Dhabi, runs through October 17, and features 3-5 games for each team, all leading up to the official start of the regular season on October 21, 2025.