Open Extended ReactionsThe opening night of the 2025-26 NBA season will feature the Houston Rockets at the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers. The following night, Oct. 23, the Thunder will visit the Pacers in an NBA Finals rematch (7:30 p.m. Lakers star LeBron James, if he plays, will be making his 20th Christmas appearance in his record 23rd NBA season. Only 12 NBA franchises have 20 Christmas games, and James could soon have that many as a player. The remaining two games for each club will be filled in December based on how teams fare in the NBA Cup.