NBA releases 2018-2019 National TV Schedule for key games
The NBA has unveiled its 2018-2019 National TV schedule for the opening week of the 2018-19 regular season, Christmas Day games on ESPN networks, and three Martin Luther King Jr. Day games on TNT. The NBA plans to open its season on October 16, 2018, with the Boston Celtics hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. The Golden State Warriors will receive their rings and be tested against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena.
With a new sheriff in town, LeBron James will open up the season on the road with his Los Angeles Lakers tipping off in Portland against Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers, October 18th, 2018. Below is the list of the full schedule for the mentioned dates above.
2018-19 Opening Week
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Sixers vs. Celtics | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
Thunder vs. Warriors | 10:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Pelicans vs. Rockets | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
Mavericks vs. Suns | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 18
Bulls vs. Sixers | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Friday, Oct. 19
Celtics vs. Raptors | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
Warriors vs. Jazz | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 20
Raptors vs. Wizards | 7 p.m. ET | NBA TV
Rockets vs. Lakers | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Sunday, Oct. 21
Rockets vs. Clippers | 9 p.m. ET | NBA TV
Christmas Day 2018 (Dec. 25)
Bucks vs. Knicks | Noon ET | ESPN
Thunder vs. Rockets | 3 p.m. ET | ABC
Sixers vs. Celtics | 5:30 p.m. ET | ABC
Lakers vs. Warriors | 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
Trail Blazers vs. Jazz | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 21, 2019)
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies | 5:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Rockets vs. Sixers | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
Warriors vs. Lakers | 10:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Source: NBA.com