The NBA released the entire schedule for the 2024-25 season earlier today, giving fans more reason to be excited. The schedule is filled with intriguing matchups and interesting returns.
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Like always, the NBA is full of drama and this offseason was no different. We saw major star players switch teams while others beefed themselves up for the push for a title.
There are always some games that mean just a little more on the schedule, but which are the best ones? Here are the top 10 biggest revenge games for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season.
10. Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers, Nov. 1, Rocket Morgage Fieldhouse
The only first-round playoff series to go to seven games, the Cavaliers and Magic represent teams in the Eastern Conference looking to break through. Cleveland bested Orlando in a fun Game 7 and they brought in a new head coach to see if he can put the puzzle pieces together.
Orlando made a splash by signing two-way wing Kentavious Caldwell Pope, giving them more firepower. This will be a chance for Orlando to prove that they should be among the elites in the conference.
9. New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets, Jan. 21, Barclays Center
A rare trade between the two teams in New York sent star forward Mikal Brides to the Knicks. When he makes his return to Barclays Center, what will the reception be?
Nets fans hoped Bridges would help lead them through the next chapter of the team but the front office had other ideas. The battle for New York got a lot more interesting, even with only one team likely vying for a title next season.
8. Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls, Jan. 12, United Center
On the surface, this game may seem a little boring but it will be DeMar DeRozan's return to Chicago. DeRozan left the Bulls this offseason to land with the Kings, giving him a much better chance to finally win a championship.
DeRozan will get the possibility to show the Bulls what they let go of by not going all-in in the previous years.
7. Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers, Dec. 31, Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana eliminated the Bucks in the postseason last year so Milwaukee will be out for some revenge. The Bucks didn't have star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo for the series, limiting the chances of Milwaukee.
Star guard Damian Lillard also got hurt in the series, hurting the Bucks' chance to win. This could be an opportunity to send a message to the Pacers that if they had been healthy, Milwaukee would have won the series.
6. Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, Dec. 2, TD Garden
The Heat and Celtics have met in the playoffs multiple times over the last few years, with each meeting becoming more contentious than the next. Boston took down a Jimmy Butler-less Heat team in the first round this season, giving this first matchup some extra juice to it.
Butler is the engine that makes the Heat go and Miami has fared well against Boston with him in the lineup. The veteran will have a chance to show that his absence made all the difference in the playoffs earlier in the year.
5. Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct. 29, Target Center
A rematch of the Western Conference Finals gives way for some potential trash talk coming from Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards. He was the star of the playoffs before Minnesota ran into Dallas, losing in five games.
This will be the Wolves' chance to make a statement early on at home against the team that bested them.
4. Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks, Jan. 25, American Airlines Center
Boston defeated the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, setting the stage for a fun rematch. Dallas was overmatched by the Celtics but reloaded this offseason by adding former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson.
Thompson should help to space the floor against the strong Boston defense as Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic run the offense. Dallas can enact some revenge for the championship loss with a win.
3. Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets, Feb. 22, Ball Arena
The Nuggets have eliminated the Lakers in the postseason each of the last two seasons. Last year, Denver guard Jamal Murray knocked the Lakers out on a buzzer-beater at home, so what better way to get some revenge than grabbing a win in the first game back at the arena?
The Nuggets and Lakers tend to play close games, with Los Angeles showing an inability to close things out consistently. There is some bad blood between these two teams, creating the potential for fireworks when they match up this season.
2. Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors, Nov. 12, Chase Center
Klay Thompson makes his return to Chase Center to face the Warriors after spending 13 seasons in the Bay Area. The Warriors felt that Thompson wasn't worth a large contract in free agency so the five-time All-Star decided to pursue other teams.
This game will be one of the more anticipated of the entire NBA regular season, with the second half of the infamous Splash Brothers coming home.
1. Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers, Nov. 6, Intuit Dome
The return of star forward Paul George as he makes his way back to Los Angeles after bolting to Philadelphia. George said that he felt disrespected by the Clippers during contract negotiations so he has an opportunity to remind them of what they lost.
This will also mark one of the first games in the brand-new Intuit Dome for Los Angeles. George and company will have a chance to spoil his return and walk out with a victory.
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