NBA League Pass Watch Guide: Week 1

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Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024 – the opening week of the 2024-25 season – offers a series of premier matchups with 30 games over five days exclusively on NBA League Pass.

From top draft picks making their NBA debuts to big-name free agents getting their first minutes with new teams, here are 10 must-watch games in Week 1 on League Pass.

Wednesday, October 23: Nets at Hawks (7:30 ET)

The first NBA action of the first pick. On the second day of the season, Zaccharie Risacher, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, will make his NBA debut when he, Trae Young and the Hawks host the Nets, who hope to see Ben Simmons in uniform after the star guard was limited He had to miss 15 games last season due to back injuries.

Wednesday, October 23: Magic at Heat (7:30 ET)

The Sunshine State rivalry will give fans their first look at two Eastern Conference contenders. Can Paolo Banchero build on his All-Star season and Orlando’s first playoff appearance since 2020? Meanwhile, how will Jimmy Butler, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Miami recover after being plagued by injuries last season?

Wednesday, October 23: Grizzlies at Jazz (9 ET)

Ja Morant’s return. After missing the final four months of last season with a shoulder injury (and playing just nine games total), Morant will look to re-establish the Grizzlies as a Western Conference contender in 2024-25, starting with the season opener against Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz.

Thursday, October 24: Celtics at Wizards (7 ET)

Welcome to the NBA, Alex Sarr. This year’s No. 2 overall pick will get his first taste of NBA competition against the reigning champion Celtics, who will play their second game after ending the season on October 22 against the Knicks. In addition to Sarr, Washington’s number 14, Carlton “Bub” Carrington, will also make his first NBA appearance.

Thursday, October 24: Timberwolves at Kings (10 ET)

A first look at DeMar DeRozan in a Kings jersey as Anthony Edwards and the Wolves make their season debut. Sacramento added the veteran scorer from Chicago Sign and trade this summer after losing in last year’s play-in tournament. Now they open the year with an early test against one of the top teams in the West.

Saturday, October 26: Thunder at Bulls (8 ET)

Two days after ending the season against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder travel to Chicago, where newly signed Alex Caruso meets his former team and the player he was traded for, Josh Giddey. The two clubs changed guards in June and will now compete against each other in prime time on the first Saturday of the season.

Saturday, October 26: Rockets at Spurs (8:30 ET)

In a Texas duel between two up-and-coming teams from the West, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs face Alperen Şengün and the Rockets. The matchup will also include the Nos. 3 and 4 overall picks in this year’s draft, as Houston guard Reed Sheppard will face San Antonio guard Stephon Castle.

Saturday, October 26: Mavericks at Suns (10 ET)

The star power continues Saturday night when Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs take on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Suns in the Valley. In three games against Phoenix last season, Dončić averaged 41.7 points – including a 50-pointer on Christmas Day – and now has sharp-shooting Klay Thompson, making just his second appearance as a Mav.

Sunday, October 27: 76ers at Pacers (3:30 ET)

A first look at two finalists in the East. Looking to improve on last season’s Eastern Conference Finals run, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers will face an early test against the revamped Sixers, who added this summer’s biggest free agent prize, Paul George, to their star team. Core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese have added Maxey.

Sunday, October 27: Clippers at Warriors (8:30 ET)

The new-look Clippers are having a busy Week 1. After sharing Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers for 25 years, they will debut their new home arena, the Intuit Dome, on October 23 against the Suns. Then, after a trip to Denver on October 26th, LA caps its week with an in-state battle against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.