What is the significance of the Oklahoma City Thunder's first game of the season?

The Oklahoma City Thunder will raise their first championship banner and receive their rings from Commissioner Adam Silver in front of former star Kevin Durant, who never won a title with the team.

Which top Western Conference teams will face off in an early-season Peacock exclusive?

The Denver Nuggets, led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves and star Anthony Edwards in a highly anticipated matchup.

When will the historic Celtics-Lakers rivalry be renewed?

The Celtics and Lakers will renew their rivalry on February 22nd, with the Lakers unveiling a Pat Riley statue before the game on NBC's Sunday Night Basketball showcase.

Home / Sports / NBA's Biggest Showdowns: Rivalries, Reunions, and Rings Galore

NBA's Biggest Showdowns: Rivalries, Reunions, and Rings Galore

14 Aug

•

Summary

NBA returns to NBC after 24 years, debuts on Peacock
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder raise first championship banner
Matchup between top Western Conference teams Nuggets and Timberwolves

NBA's Biggest Showdowns: Rivalries, Reunions, and Rings Galore

As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, basketball fans are in for a treat with a packed schedule of highly anticipated matchups. The season will mark the return of the NBA to NBC for the first time in 24 years, with games also streaming exclusively on Peacock.

One of the most anticipated opening-night games will be the Houston Rockets visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder. This game will see the Thunder raise their first championship banner, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the team receiving their rings from Commissioner Adam Silver. Adding to the drama, former Thunder star Kevin Durant will be in attendance, having never won a title with the franchise.

Other early-season highlights include a clash between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, two of the top teams in the Western Conference. This Peacock-exclusive matchup will showcase the much-improved Nuggets roster around reigning MVP Nikola Jokic as they take on Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

As the season progresses, the league's historic rivalries will take center stage. On Christmas Day, the San Antonio Spurs will visit the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, setting up a showdown between top draft picks Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. The Dallas Mavericks will also visit the Golden State Warriors, in a potential passing-of-the-torch game as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green's era nears its end.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.