Anthony Davis poses with new Los Angeles Lakers jersey
The NBA released the schedule for the 2019-20 season on Monday, and several top veteran players will be making their debuts with their respective new teams. The Los Angeles Lakers also lead all teams in the league with 31 national television appearances. Here are some of the big dates to note:
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The season will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and will feature a doubleheader between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Raptors in Toronto and between the two Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and the Clippers. Zion Williamson, a Duke product and the first overall pick in this year’s draft, should also likely make his debut with the Pelicans that night.
On Nov. 27, Anthony Davis will return to New Orleans as a new member of the Lakers, while newly-minted New York Nets guard Kyrie Irving will playing against his former Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
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Kawhi Leonard, who just joined the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason, will return to Toronto to play the Raptors on Dec. 11. Leonard helped lead the Raptors to their first NBA title in June.
Kemba Walker, who is now a player for the Boston Celtics, will return to play his former team the Hornets in Charlotte on Nov. 7.
On Dec. 22, Clippers forward Paul George will be back in Oklahoma City to face his former Thunder squad. Meanwhile, George’s All-Star former Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook will return to OKC as a Houston Rocket on Jan. 9.
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On Christmas Day, there will be five marquee games played, including the Celtics visiting the Raptors and the Bucks visiting the Sixers. The Rockets will also play at the Warriors, the Clippers will play at the Lakers and the Pelicans will visit the Denver Nuggets.
Compared to previous years, start times for nationally televised doubleheaders on the East Coast were moved up to earlier in the day. The number of 10:30 p.m. EST start times was cut down to 33 from 57.
The All-Star break will start on Feb. 14 and the 2020 NBA All-Star Game will be held in Chicago on Feb. 16.
This year’s NBA schedule also includes a record 48 prime-time games for Europe, some of which will take place on Saturdays.
The 2019-20 regular season will end on April 15.
Here are some key contests to note for this upcoming NBA season:
Tuesday, Oct. 22: TNT Doubleheader
New Orleans at Toronto (8 p.m. ET)
Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, Oct. 23: ESPN Doubleheader
Boston at Philadelphia (7:30 p.m.)
Denver at Portland (10 p.m.):
Thursday, Oct. 24: TNT Doubleheader
Milwaukee at Houston (8 p.m.)
LA Clippers at Golden State (10:30 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 25: ESPN Doubleheader
Dallas at New Orleans (8 p.m.)
Utah at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 26: NBA TV Tripleheader
Miami at Milwaukee (5 p.m.)
Boston at New York (7:30 p.m.)
LA Clippers at Phoenix (10 p.m.)
Christmas Day
Boston at Toronto (12 p.m., ESPN)
Milwaukee at Philadelphia (2:30 p.m., ABC)
Houston at Golden State (5 p.m., ABC)
LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m., ESPN/ABC)
New Orleans at Denver (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
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