Oklahoma City vs Indiana: NBA banks on a rematch, fans fear a blowout
The NBA announced Tuesday the 2025-2026 regular season schedule. Opening week will include games on ESPN. Other games will be broadcast on Peacock. Opening night will take place on October 21, followed by two ESPN doubleheaders on October 22 and 23.
Opening Week on NBC and Peacock, ESPN and Prime! 🍿
See the FULL 2025-26 NBA Season schedule ➡️ https://t.co/vm7dcyQuhF
NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/ZVlC6t8yOo
— NBA (@NBA) August 14, 2025
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The October 22 schedule will feature Cleveland Cavaliers against New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs facing Dallas Mavericks, while October 23 will offer Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets against Golden State Warriors.
Peacock launches exclusive Monday night broadcasts
It was also announced that Peacock will broadcast « up to three national NBA games on Monday nights throughout the regular season », starting with the Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons and the Nuggets against Minnesota Timberwolves on October 27.
Among the ESPN opening week games, none is more anticipated than the NBA Finals rematch between Thunder and Pacers. Indiana had pushed Oklahoma City to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, before the Thunder prevailed 103-91 to win their first title since relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma City.
Haliburton out for the season, showing encouraging progress
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury in Game 7 played a significant role in the series outcome, and the Pacers will be without him for the entire 2025-2026 campaign. Haliburton recently provided a positive update on his injury during his youth basketball camp, noting that he can already walk with a boot without the help of crutches or a scooter.
« It’s a long process. This injury typically takes a year to heal 100%. We’re only in week six, almost seven, so we still have a lot of time, » said Haliburton.
Indiana will look very different in 2025-2026 compared to the 2025 NBA Finals, having also lost center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Meanwhile, the Thunder largely maintain the same roster that won it all last season, led by the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
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