NBA fans will get a lot of opportunities to see the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024-25.
The Lakers top the list for national TV games for the 2024-25 at 39. The team is followed by the Golden State Warriors, who have 36.
The New York Knicks and defending champion Boston Celtics each have 34 while the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns each have 30.
The San Antonio Spurs also have a notable amount of nationally televised games at 21. This comes despite a dismal record of 22-60 in 2023-24 and is influenced by the presence of 2023-24 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
The Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers all have the lowest number of national games at 4.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported that the average back-to-backs are up from 2023-24. Additionally, the schedule will feature no 4-in-5, 8-in-12 or 18-in-30 periods for teams and that "high-profile national TV games" will be preceded and followed by off days.
The Lakers went 47-35 and fell in the first round of the playoffs. This led to the firing of head coach Darvin Ham and the franchise has some notable storylines heading into the new season.
J.J. Redick will begin his first coaching assignment as the team's head coach in 2024-25 and James will form the first father-son duo in NBA history when he plays alongside his son Bronny.
The Warriors missed the postseason in 2023-24 and lost Klay Thompson in free agency. Still, seeing how the team retools around the aging core will something the to watch for in the new season.
The Knicks added Mikal Bridges and re-signed OG Anunoby as they look to rise further in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics will aim to become the first repeat champion since the 2016-17 and 2017-18 Warriors.
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