The 2024-25 NBA season is officially here! The Boston Celtics begin their quest for back-to-back titles against the New York Knicks to kick off the NBA season (7:30 p.m. ET or 1:30am CAT). After a dominant run through the playoffs, the Celtics enter this season as the favorites, but the depth of competition in the league won't make it easy for a repeat in Boston. The Knicks' busy offseason, which included bringing in Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, has title hopes high in New York, while the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George this offseason to maximize the prime of former MVP Joel Embiid. Will either contender have enough star power to dethrone the Celtics in the Eastern Conference race? In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder will try to build off of a memorable 2023-24 campaign, during which they became the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history. And OKC didn't stand pat, adding key pieces in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to bolster one of the deepest rosters in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who face the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night (10 p.m. ET), also are among teams with eyes on the Larry O'Brien trophy after Anthony Edwards took a giant leap last season. And, despite the talent at the top of the conference, the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets could all make noise in the crowded West race. Will it be Oklahoma City-Boston in the Finals? Which other teams could crash the party? And which are most likely to be involved in the trade market? The champions will be crowned in June 2025.
