NBA season No. 81 begins: Knicks to raise banner, three games kick off
New York open their title defence as the 81st NBA season kicks off with three games and major summer transfers reshaping the contenders.
The NBA opens its 81st season with a three-game slate as champions New York begin their title defense and the league’s summer roster moves redraw the map of contenders.
Early games, rings and a banner at Madison Square Garden
The new NBA season starts Tuesday with Detroit facing Boston at 21:00 Central European Time. In the overnight window between Tuesday and Wednesday, New York will begin its title defense against Philadelphia at 13:00, followed by San Antonio against Oklahoma City at 15:30.
Before tip-off, the New York Knicks will receive championship rings and raise a title banner under the rafters of Madison Square Garden. The club aims to accomplish what no team has managed in nearly a decade — to repeat as NBA champions.
Summer brought major roster changes across the association: LeBron James moved to Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo joined Miami, and Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto. Around a dozen other players who have been All-Stars — many of them regular starters — changed teams during the offseason. Each of those moves has the same declared objective: to unseat the Knicks.
“Potential distractions arise only when you read and believe what others say. Regardless of what is said and said, whether constantly or occasionally, you believe what you want to believe and listen to what you want to hear. It is up to us, as teammates, individuals and professionals, to understand the essence of all that. We reached the title thanks to how connected we were as a team. We must preserve that,” said Jalen Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP.
There is no shortage of serious title contenders in either conference. On the East, several recent Finals MVPs changed teams this summer: Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto, Giannis Antetokounmpo went to Miami, while LeBron James and Jaylen Brown both landed in Philadelphia. Detroit and Cleveland kept largely unchanged rosters, as did New York. Boston added Paul George to play alongside Jayson Tatum.
The Western Conference remains stacked. Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City share early favorite billing. Nikola Jokić remains a perennial MVP candidate trying to lead Denver back into the title picture. Golden State still features Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić is listed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston, led by Kevin Durant, is expected to challenge for a top seed. Portland will rely on Damian Lillard, while Minnesota pairs LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards in a backcourt tandem that carries high expectations.
The NBA Cup final will be staged in Indianapolis this season instead of Las Vegas, and All-Star Weekend will take place in Phoenix.
Photo: press material from the event
