NBA Schedule Insights for 2025-26 Season
The NBA has announced its schedule for the 2025-26 season, and all teams will play 82 games—three to four against their conference rivals and two against teams from the opposite conference.
Just kidding. That’s the typical NBA format. The real intrigue in the schedule release lies in how many games teams will travel for across the country, the challenges of back-to-back games, and how teams perform during lengthy road trips. The league often teases parts of its schedule, so you can find around 80 games listed for each team, including the two additional games following the NBA Cup results.
This upcoming NBA season is gearing up to be interesting. In the last seven years, seven different teams have won the championship, which is a record. The question looms: will the Oklahoma City Thunder claim another title and start a dynasty, or will we see a continuation of this parity in the league? It’s certainly an exciting narrative as the start of the season approaches. For now, there are five scheduling quirk observations from the recently released 2025-26 schedule.
The Nuggets and Warriors’ Scheduling Challenges
Notably, this season, five teams are facing the league’s highest number of back-to-back games, tallying 16. However, not all back-to-backs are created equal. According to Owen Phillips from the F5 Newsletter, significant advantages or disadvantages arise based on whether teams face opponents consecutively. Within this context, the Philadelphia 76ers’ 16 back-to-backs don’t seem as daunting when weighed against certain opponents who have 18 consecutive games. The biggest hit appears to be the Denver Nuggets, who also have 16 back-to-back games but are facing only 12 opponents. The Warriors aren’t faring much better either. For an older team, this lacks some concern. The Mavericks and Bucks, on the other hand, have four key games restored to their schedules—something to think about as predictions are shaped.
Most Televised Teams This Season
The Lakers, Thunder, Knicks, and Warriors top the list this season with 34 national broadcasts each. Personally, I find it more interesting to note the teams that are missing from the spotlight. It’s great to see Zion Williamson and LaMelo Ball make a comeback after injury struggles, but teams like the Raptors, despite having a passionate fanbase, don’t seem to garner the same attention. The Bulls received a mere three national broadcasts, an intriguing situation for the largest market with only one franchise. Their decline in relevance means the NBA seems to be hiding them away. It’s almost a no-brainer that the Reinsdorfs really should consider selling the team to someone more engaged with the league’s health.
The Clippers’ Bobblehead Night
So, here’s a fun one. I admire Chris Dunn like any basketball enthusiast—I even wrote about him during the 2016 NBA Draft. But does he really need a bobblehead night? It’s unlikely, but with the league’s richest owner, such quirky promotions become reality. Having six bobblehead nights in a single season is just wild, yet I kind of appreciate the enthusiasm for fans.
The Pelicans Face a Tough Road
And here’s the kicker: the Pelicans have made a bold trade this offseason with the Atlanta Hawks, giving up an unprotected first-round pick for a chance to draft Derrick Queen at the end of the lottery. However, Queen has been nursing wrist ligament issues for months. The scheduling release won’t bring much comfort to New Orleans fans, as the team is set to endure the toughest schedule in the league based on overall performance. The Pelicans knew this wouldn’t be an easy season in the Western Conference, and I suspect that trading away a top-three pick could come up in future discussions.
The Celtics and Their National Broadcasts
Lastly, addressing the Celtics, they seem to be receiving an excess of national broadcasts. Over the years, the NBA has faced backlash for putting injured stars on national television. While injuries can’t be predicted, with the Celtics, it feels inevitable. Jason Tatum will be out for the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, yet Boston still has 25 national games slated. That seems excessive. Given the potential for them to pivot and consider a rebuilding phase around Tatum’s return, it could make sense to redistribute some of those games to teams like the Spurs or the Magic, who need the exposure.
