The NBA makes its triumphant return to NBC and its debut on Peacock on Tuesday, October 21 with a jaw-dropping double-header. After the Oklahoma City Thunder raise their championship banner in front of Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets,

Postgame editions will be open-ended on ESPN while ABC will run a half-hour and then continue on the ESPN app. The program will air on 20 dates during the regular season and throughout the NBA Playoffs, including the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.

Houston's vaunted defense keeps Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check enough for him to finish Under his points prop.

A new NBA season starts Tuesday. A new TV deal kicks in along with it. And that means fans having to figure out which games are where on what days.

Cue the iconic “Roundball Rock” theme song with the return of the NBA on NBC, tipping off with an Opening Night doubleheader on Oct. 21, featuring the defending champion Thunder hosting the Rockets, followed by the Warriors visiting the Lakers in L.A.

Denver added Cam Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Jonas Valanciunas, so the Nuggets improved. Jokic is the favorite at DraftKings to start the year, but second in terms of odds behind SGA at other bookmakers. There is a strong case for Jokic to win his fourth MVP.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to do something that hasn't been done in the NBA since 2018 — repeat as champion.

NBA rosters are locked for the 2025-26 season, which opens Tuesday on NBC & Peacock: The Rockets visit the champion Thunder & the Lakers host the Warriors.