The NBA launched the schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season on Thursday, highlighting the opening week’s slate of video games, matchups on Christmas Day in addition to the third version of Rivalry Week. We’re simply over two months away from Opening Evening on Oct. 22, so all consideration between from time to time can be on the joy for subsequent season. However past all of the intrigue round matchups like Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Space on Nov. 12, or Paul George returning to play the Clippers on Nov. 6, one other fascinating wrinkle with the schedule launch is taking a look at which groups can be seen essentially the most on a nationwide stage.
The league by no means places a deal with telling us which groups are getting essentially the most nationally televised video games, nevertheless it would not take an excessive amount of time to scan by means of each group’s schedule and work out the place all of them rank in that class. On the high of the checklist is nothing too shocking — you have bought the most important manufacturers within the leagues main the best way, in addition to the reigning champions. However taking a look at which groups are getting essentially the most video games on nationwide tv additionally tells us which squads or gamers the league views as being on the rise and which of them have fallen out of favor when it comes to curiosity. It’s also possible to see how offseason strikes influence the variety of video games every group will get on nationwide tv.
With that being mentioned, let us take a look at the place all 30 groups rank in nationally televised video games for the 2024-25 season and provides some perception into why they’re the place they’re. For the aim of this, solely video games on ESPN/ABC and TNT will rely as nationally televised video games, as NBATV shouldn’t be a channel everybody will get.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
This is not shocking within the slightest. What is shocking is the Wizards’ lone nationally televised recreation is a Jan. 16 assembly with the Phoenix Suns at house. I used to be anticipating the league to have both one of many Oct. 28 or Oct. 30 matchups pitting the No. 1 choose on this summer time’s draft Zaccharie Risacher in opposition to No. 2 choose Alex Starr when the Wizards have a home-and-home in opposition to the Hawks. However the league clearly did not favor both of these video games.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
Simply a few years in the past, the Raptors would have fallen someplace on the center of this checklist, however buying and selling away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, shedding Fred VanVleet in free company and a litany of different strikes signaled they have been pivoting in direction of a youth motion. That has knocked them down a number of pegs. Nonetheless, I assumed their younger core that includes Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett would’ve garnered not less than a pair extra nationally televised video games. A minimum of we’ll watch them face the Knicks on nationwide tv on Jan. 8.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
The Blazers are rebuilding, so there’s not a ton of nationwide curiosity on this group. Couple that with a gradual begin out of the gates for the No. 3 choose within the 2023 NAB Draft in Scoot Henderson, and Portland’s solely bought one nationally televised recreation. They will host former Blazers star Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 28 for his or her primetime slot.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
The Pistons will host the 76ers of their lone nationally televised recreation of the season on Feb. 7. The group underwent a slew of offseason adjustments, from the entrance workplace to new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The group hopes that that is the yr they will lastly present some steps ahead of their rebuilding course of.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
A few years in the past, the Hornets felt like a budding group on the cusp of gaining nationwide consideration due to the thrilling gamers on their group. However accidents to LaMelo Ball dampened that pleasure — and progress — so as a substitute, they’re routinely close to the underside of the Japanese Convention. They will have a nationally televised recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 17 in a battle of the Ball brothers, and in contrast to earlier years as a consequence of accidents to each LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, this will lastly be the yr that matchup occurs.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 1
The Nets lastly waved the white flag after buying and selling Mikal Bridges to the Knicks this summer time, and so they’re absolutely coming into their rebuilding period. This group would’ve ranked within the high 5 of this checklist simply two years in the past, however the Massive 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are not there. Brooklyn’s fall from the highest of the league has been far, and their solely look on the nationwide stage can be internet hosting the Knicks on Jan. 21.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 2
It is shocking that the Jazz have yet one more recreation than the groups beneath them on this checklist, however the league has clearly decided that the curiosity is there to warrant two nationally televised video games. They will host Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves on Jan. 30 after which journey to the Suns for one more primetime spot.
23. Chicago Bulls
Variety of nationally televised video games: 2
The Bulls are an important “What If” thought train from a number of years in the past. Had Lonzo Ball not gotten injured, issues may’ve gone in a different way for this franchise, however as a substitute, they’re going to be coming into the yr with the fewest expectations in about 4 years.
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22. Atlanta Hawks
Variety of nationally televised video games: 2
Touchdown the No. 1 total choose did not do sufficient to raise the Hawks on this checklist, and funnily sufficient, each of their nationally televised video games can be in opposition to final yr’s No. 1 total choose, Victor Wembanyama, and the Spurs.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 3
Houston has the potential to be a play-in group this season, so we might look again on this checklist and say they need to’ve gotten extra of the nationwide highlight. With younger rising stars in Alperen Sengun, Jalen Inexperienced, Jabari Smith Jr. and the elder statesman in VanVleet, Houston has all of the items and may be an entertaining group to observe subsequent season.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 5
A playoff look and an All-Star nod for Paolo Banchero did not pull sufficient weight for the Magic to be larger on this checklist. They play stout protection and have low-scoring affairs, which generally do not entice the typical fan to observe them play. However that they had top-of-the-line first-round sequence in opposition to the Cavaliers final season, pushing them to seven video games. Do not sleep on how thrilling the Magic are.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 6
After ending a playoff drought two seasons in the past, the Kings fell off a bit final season, so this spot is sensible. And in a crowded Western Convention, it will likely be a troublesome process for the Kings to return to the playoffs. However they’re an electrifying group on offense, which simply added DeMar DeRozan to the roster. They need to in all probability have a number of extra video games if solely to see them gentle the beam after a win.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 7
The Warmth are such a complicated group. They’re common within the common season and normally limp into the playoffs, but most years, they find yourself making some magical deep run within the postseason. However this yr, greater than others, it appears like that magic might have run out, and the shortage of nationally televised video games indicators that.
17. Cleveland Cavaliers
Variety of nationally televised video games: 8
Center of the pack is sensible for the Cavaliers. They’ve a star in Donovan Mitchell, however he is not fairly as huge because the groups and gamers forward of him on this checklist. And whereas Cleveland made it to the second spherical of the playoffs final season, that clearly wasn’t sufficient for them to fit larger on this checklist.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 9
A couple of years in the past, Zion Williamson alone would’ve catapulted the Pelicans means larger on this checklist. Nonetheless, his recurring accidents make the Pelicans a dangerous group to throw on nationwide tv. When wholesome, New Orleans is an electrifying group, however getting a clear invoice of well being has been a relentless challenge for them. Maybe that is the yr the harm bug would not strike them as dangerous.
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Variety of nationally televised video games: 9
After a suspension after which season-ending surgical procedure for Ja Morant, final season was a misplaced yr for the Grizzlies. So it may be onerous to keep in mind that earlier than then, the Grizzlies have been some of the entertaining groups within the league, highlighted by Morant’s celebrity play and persona. With him again in tow this season, this low variety of nationwide video games will seem like a misstep, however they’re going to certainly be electrifying each time they take the nationwide stage.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Variety of nationally televised video games: 9
Paul George is gone, however Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are nonetheless there. Accidents all the time get in the best way for the Clippers. 9 video games appear truthful, on condition that that you must verify the harm report one million instances earlier than the Clippers play, so there aren’t any complaints right here.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 9
Tyrese Haliburton bought some MVP chatter firstly of final season, and the Pacers had a traditionally nice offense en path to the Japanese Convention finals. I am stunned they really haven’t got extra video games, but when they carry on the trajectory they’re on, that quantity will hopefully solely rise going ahead.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Variety of nationally televised video games: 13
Now we’re entering into the double digits, and in case you’re stunned that the Spurs rank this excessive, you should not be. That is the ability of Victor Wembanyama, who, after a stellar displaying throughout France’s silver-medal Olympics run, returns to San Antonio to place the remainder of the league on discover. This time, he is bought Chris Paul within the backcourt. The Spurs can be must-watch tv, even when they do not win many video games.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 15
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed second in MVP voting, Chet Holmgren was Rookie of the 12 months runner-up, and the Thunder completed first atop the Western Convention and made it to the second spherical of the playoffs. They added Alex Caruso to the combo and nonetheless have a vault full of beneficial picks for enchancment. This can be a group on a fast rise, and in all honesty, it ought to have extra video games than a few of the groups listed above. They seem to be a small market group with a passionate fanbase and top-of-the-line homecourt benefits within the league, hopefully the league takes discover going ahead that they are deserving of extra nationwide consideration.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Variety of nationally televised video games: 17
Accidents derailed the Bucks final season, leading to a first-round playoff loss to the Pacers. However this variety of nationally televised video games is predicated on the star energy of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is been one of many faces of the league for the previous few years, and whereas the Bucks aren’t the dominant drive they have been after they received a championship in 2021, they’re nonetheless going to garner an excessive amount of nationwide consideration.
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9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Variety of nationally televised video games: 18
The Timberwolves are field workplace. Extra particularly, Anthony Edwards is field workplace. You would give the Timberwolves 30 video games and I would not be mad about it. The persona this group exudes is only a pleasure to observe and was top-of-the-line tales to come back out of final season’s playoffs. They did not tweak the roster a lot, so we’ll see if they will repeat final season’s success, however on the power of Edwards alone they deserve this spot.
8. Phoenix Suns
Variety of nationally televised video games: 19
I am stunned about this variety of video games for the Suns. Sure, Kevin Durant is among the brightest stars within the league, whereas he and Devin Booker are coming off a gold-medal end on the Olympics. However the Suns struggled closely final season with their lack of depth, a problem they did not actually tackle all that a lot this offseason. They solely have yet one more recreation than the Timberwolves, however I positively suppose Minnesota and Oklahoma Metropolis ought to be forward of them right here.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
Variety of nationally televised video games: 21
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George: sufficient mentioned. The Sixers can be some of the intriguing groups this season as they attempt to break by means of to the Japanese Convention finals. So long as Embiid stays wholesome, Philadelphia ought to end close to the highest of the East, which warrants this many nationally televised video games.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 22
That is going to be a pivotal season for the Nuggets. They’re solely two years faraway from a championship, however what seemed like a dynasty within the making is slowly turning right into a group that will have to make some troublesome selections within the close to future. However Nikola Jokic and his three MVPs warrant this type of nationwide respect, even when he is not essentially the most outgoing star within the league.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 23
Coming off a shocking run to the NBA Finals, after which including Klay Thompson to a mixture that already has Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas enters this season as some of the thrilling groups within the league. Final season, we noticed how electrifying the Mavericks may be on offense, and that ought to stay the identical with Doncic and Irving within the backcourt.
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4. New York Knicks
Variety of nationally televised video games: 24
The Knicks are again! No, actually this time. By far, that they had one of the best offseason in including Anunoby, buying and selling for Bridges and signing Jalen Brunson to an ultra-team-friendly contract. They’re nicely geared up to problem the Celtics on the high of the East and are usually only a enjoyable group to observe at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 24
The Warriors did not do a lot within the offseason to counsel they will enhance upon final season’s play-in event exit, however having Stephen Curry in your group carries a ton of weight when it comes all the way down to determining which groups will get essentially the most nationally televised video games. The one recreation circled on everybody’s calendar is when Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Space on Nov. 12, which ought to be a heat welcome from Warriors followers. However you possibly can guess that matchup could have all types of emotion and trash speaking on each side.
2. Boston Celtics
Variety of nationally televised video games: 26
If I am making the schedule, the group that simply received the championship ought to undoubtedly have essentially the most nationally televised video games, however that is simply me. There’s solely a one-game distinction between the No. 1 and No. 2 spot on this checklist, however when you think about the group ranked first right here did not even make it out of the primary spherical of the playoffs, it may possibly really feel a bit disrespectful to Boston. And so they’ll certainly use that as motivation for this season to attempt to defend their title, which, by the best way, they’re greater than well-equipped to take action.
Variety of nationally televised video games: 27
Is anybody stunned? It is the most important model within the NBA, and the most important star within the league is LeBron James. Even when the Lakers have been trotting out lottery groups throughout Kobe Bryant’s ultimate years within the league, the Lakers nonetheless persistently ranked close to the highest of nationally televised video games. This group is nowhere close to as dangerous as these squads, however this is not a roster deserving of practically 30 nationally televised video games. Nonetheless, with LeBron and his son Bronny James on the identical group and new coach JJ Redick, the Lakers can be among the many most talked about groups no matter their file.
