The NBA recently released the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season, sparking excitement among basketball fans worldwide. The schedule highlights key matchups, including the opening week’s slate of games, Christmas Day games, and the highly anticipated Rivalry Week. With just over two months until Opening Night on Oct. 22, the focus is on the anticipation and excitement for the upcoming season.
One interesting aspect of the schedule release is the distribution of nationally televised games among the 30 NBA teams. While the league does not explicitly rank teams based on their national TV appearances, a quick scan through each team’s schedule reveals which teams will be seen the most on a national stage. This information provides insight into which teams the league views as rising stars and which ones may have fallen out of favor in terms of interest.
At the bottom of the list, teams like the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, and Portland Trail Blazers each have only one nationally televised game scheduled for the season. These teams are undergoing transitions, whether through rebuilding efforts or roster changes, which may have impacted their national TV exposure. On the other hand, teams like the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, with eight and seven nationally televised games respectively, have a more established presence in the league.
Moving up the list, teams like the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets have garnered more national TV appearances, reflecting their star power and potential for success in the upcoming season. The Dallas Mavericks, coming off a surprising run to the NBA Finals, are set to feature prominently with 23 nationally televised games, showcasing their exciting roster led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
At the top of the list, perennial favorites like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics lead the pack with 27 and 26 nationally televised games respectively. The Lakers, with LeBron James leading the charge, continue to draw significant attention, while the Celtics look to defend their championship title with a stacked roster.
Overall, the distribution of nationally televised games provides a glimpse into the league’s perception of each team’s popularity, star power, and potential for success in the upcoming season. As fans eagerly await the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the schedule release offers a preview of the exciting matchups and storylines to come.