The NBA launched its full 2024-25 regular-season schedule on Thursday. We have coated the schedule from lots of completely different angles, together with 10 must-see video games, rating the Christmas Day video games, and a rundown of who has essentially the most nationally televised video games. 

Here is yet one more: Homecoming video games. We’re not going to name these revenge video games, though that might aptly characterize a few of these matchups (Klay Thompson returning to play the Warriors and Paul George getting his first shot on the Clippers after they refused to pay him max cash), as a result of there weren’t a ton of bad-blood strikes this summer season. 

Nonetheless, even in amicable splits, athletes will discover any supply of juice they’ll, and going again to the previous stomping grounds to play a former staff by no means fails to rev the engine. It was not a coincidence that Bradley Beal dropped a season-high 43 factors on the Wizards final yr. 

So, name these homecoming video games or revenge video games or no matter you need, however circle them in your calendar should you’re an NBA nut. They are not all “large” video games, however they’re going to really feel loads large to these concerned. 

Oct. 23: Doc returns to Philly

This can be a coach revenge sport, as Doc Rivers was fired two days after the 76ers misplaced within the 2023 Japanese Convention semifinals to the Boston Celtics, a collection they as soon as led 3-2. Rivers’ groups are not any strangers to blowing playoff leads, and this was the third straight season he had did not get the Sixers previous the second spherical. In order that they introduced in Nick Nurse … and did not get out of the primary spherical. Rivers caught lots of flak for Philadelphia’s shortcomings, and no matter whether or not he would ever acknowledge it, he would love to enter Philadelphia on opening evening and beat the Sixers. 

Oct. 25: Obi Toppin again at MSG

Toppin has been again to play the Knicks a bunch of time since theyc traded him to Indiana, together with in final yr’s New York-Indiana convention seminfinals by which Toppin, who was simply rewarded with a $60M deal, performed nicely. Nonetheless, I do not suppose a man like Toppin, who was the No. 8 total decide and was by no means actually given a full alternative to point out what he may do below Tom Thibodeau, will ever not wish to come to New York and stick it to the Knicks a bit. 

Oct. 28: Alex Sarr faces Hawks

For a very long time, Sarr was seen because the man who would go No. 1 total to the Hawks. However that modified because the draft drew nearer and Atlanta wound up going with Zaccharie Risacher. These guys have egos. Sarr goes to wish to present the Hawks they made a mistake. To take action, he’ll must look an entire lot higher than he did in Summer time League, the place he seemed, frankly, like a large number on the offensive finish. 

Nov. 6: Paul George returns to L.A. 

The Clippers are opening their new area this season with out George, whom they selected to let stroll to Philly for nothing slightly than pay him max cash. The specter of the second apron and George’s advancing age have been comprehensible considerations for the Clippers, however George certainly would not see it that method. He won’t have been capable of get them to repay the courtroom, however he’ll definitely be trying to make them pay on it. 

Nov. 12: Klay returns to Bay

That is going to be essentially the most emotional homecoming sport of the season by an extended shot. What Thompson did in his 13 years with the Warriors would not have to be recited time and again. Dude is a legend. However there is not any doubt it ended on a fairly bitter word, with Thompson watching the Warriors signal Jordan Poole and and Draymond Inexperienced to for a mixed $240 million whereas being unwilling to supply him greater than the reported $48 million he turned down. 

Who is aware of what the precise numbers or official gives have been, if there even was one by the tip, however you may guess Thompson feels just like the Warriors pushed him out the door. He isn’t near the participant he was. The Warriors have been justified in drawing a tough line on his contract. However Thompson is as aggressive as any participant within the league and he’ll be trying to burn Chase Heart to the bottom. 

Nov. 22: Ben Simmons again in Philly

It would not matter how irrelevant Simmons has turn into, so long as he is within the NBA, it’ll be a narrative each time he goes again to Philadelphia. 

Nov. 24: Harden again in Philly

Harden pressured his method out of Philly on a fairly nasty word as nicely. He is already been again because the commerce to the Clippers, placing up 16 factors and 14 assists in a one-point Clippers win final season, however this stays a contemporary sufficient state of affairs that followers will nonetheless be into harassing Harden as they hope to point out him how a lot better off they’re with out him. 

Dec. 2: Murray returns to Atlanta

There should not be a lot animosity right here. Issues simply did not work out with Murray in Atlanta, however he had nearly nothing to with that. Yeah, his protection slipped in that surroundings, however he tried to play off ball so Trae Younger may maintain management of the offense, and he did a fairly good job of it. He principally did what he may; in truth, it is truthful to wonder if the Hawks would possibly’ve most well-liked to maintain him over Younger but it surely was Murray who had extra commerce worth. 

Both method, everybody likes to point out out of their former constructing (New Orleans hosts Atlanta earlier within the season). Murray will likely be up for this one. 

Dec. 23: Barrett, Quickley face Knicks

This is not the primary journey again to Madison Sq. Backyard for Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett, who have been traded to Toronto final December within the OG Anunoby deal, however there’ll nonetheless be a bit level to show for the 2 guys who have been casualties of New York’s greater aspirations (with the staff the Knicks have put collectively, the followers most likely could not care much less about Barrett and Quickley). 

Barrett performed nicely in first sport again on the Backyard, placing up 20 factors, eight rebounds and 4 assists whereas Quickley added 12 factors. They will be trying to do extra harm this time round. 

Jan. 10: I-Hart will really feel MSG love

Completely no exhausting emotions right here. The Knicks could not afford Isaiah Hartenstein, who landed an $87M deal from the Thunder. However he’ll get a heck of an ovation from the Knicks devoted. He was superior for them. 

Jan. 12: DeRozan in Chicago

The Chicago followers ought to’ve have something however love for DeMar DeRozan when he returns with the Kings. He was superior in his time with the Bulls. The one factor the followers needs to be mad about is that the Bulls did not commerce DeRozan earlier. As a substitute, they someway shipped off DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond with out bringing again a single first-round draft decide. DeRozan will get a deserved ovation. 

Jan. 21: Bridges at Barclays

The largest commerce of the summer season was Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, who despatched 5 first-round picks, 4 of that are unprotected, plus one other decide swap and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets. With that form of haul, Brooklyn, which additionally obtained its personal picks again from Houston that it despatched out within the James Harden commerce, doesn’t have any exhausting emotions over Bridges’ want to play throughout city. This was a significant win-win deal, but it surely’ll nonetheless be enjoyable to see Bridges again at Barclays Heart, which can all the time be the place the place he grew into an All-Star degree participant. 

Jan. 28: Dame goes to Portland

Damian Lillard had already been again to Portland as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. It did not go all that nicely as he shot simply 3 of 13 from 3 and the Bucks misplaced to the Blazers, however given his impression on that franchise and metropolis, it’ll be a narrative each time he goes again there for the remainder of his profession. He’ll get his subsequent likelihood to point out out in entrance of his previous followers because the 2024-25 season strikes towards the All-Star break. 

Feb. 6: KCP in Denver

The Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stroll to Orlando for nothing in a pure money-saving/second-apron avoiding transfer. Whether or not a staff just like the Nuggets — who had their dominant beginning lineup in place and doubtless may’ve afforded to compromise some future flexibility to maximise this window with Nikola Jokic — ought to’ve bitten the bullet and retained KCP is a matter of debate, however little doubt Caldwell-Pope is wanting ahead to the possibility to point out his former staff they selected flawed. 

March 19: Westbrook takes on Lakers

The Lakers aren’t the newest staff Russell Westbrook performed for, however his stick with the Clippers was fairly optimistic. He performed nicely and the followers did not groan when he touched the ball. Westbrook was like a pariah for many of his time with the Lakers. He was blamed for the whole lot. His household was getting harassed of their seats. Westbrook goes full tilt each time he steps on any courtroom, and this may not be the primary time he is performed the Lakers since he was traded. However my guess is there’ll all the time be a bit further vinegar within the tank when he performs in entrance of the Lakers followers from right here on out. 

March 24: Kyrie returns to Brooklyn

Once more, the Kyrie Irving saga in Brooklyn is previous information. But it surely was simply so poisonous that feelings nonetheless linger. Like Ben Simmons going again to Philly, Kyrie going again to Brooklyn goes to be a factor for an extended whereas. 

March 31: Giddey hits OKC

The Thunder took Josh Giddey with the No. 6 total decide in 2021. This summer season, they traded him for Alex Caruso. It made sense. Giddey wants the ball in his arms to be his finest and he was by no means going to get that chance in Oklahoma Metropolis with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the helm. Giddey wished the commerce, reportedly, and he ought to get his likelihood to regulate the offense in Chicago like he did within the Olympics, the place he was terrific for Australia. I;m certain he would love nothing greater than to hold a triple-double in Oklahoma Metropolis.