NBA League Pass Viewing Guide: Week 1

Top draft picks and big-name free agents will be making their NBA debuts in Week 1, making these 10 games a must-watch on League Pass.

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Nets at Hawks (7:30 ET)

The first pick’s first NBA action. On Day 2 of the season, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, will make his NBA debut as he, Trae Young and the Hawks host the Nets, who will hope to see Ben Simmons in uniform after the star guard was limited to 15 games last season due to back injuries.

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Magic at Heat (7:30 ET)

The Sunshine State rivalry will give fans a first look at two Eastern Conference contenders. Can Paolo Banchero build on his All-Star season and Orlando’s first playoff appearance since 2020? Meanwhile, how will Jimmy Butler, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Miami rebound after being plagued by injury last season?

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Grizzlies at Jazz (9 ET)

Ja Morant’s return. After missing the final four months of last season with a shoulder injury (and playing just nine games total), Morant will look to re-establish the Grizzlies as Western Conference contenders in 2024-25, beginning with their season opener against Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Celtics at Wizards (7 ET)

Welcome to the NBA, Alex Sarr. This year’s No. 2 overall pick will get his first taste of NBA competition against the reigning champion Celtics, who will be making their second outing after tipping off the season on Oct. 22 against the Knicks. In addition to Sarr, Washington’s No. 14 pick, Carlton “Bub” Carrington, will be seeing his first NBA action.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Timberwolves at Kings (10 ET)

A first glimpse at DeMar DeRozan in a Kings uniform while Anthony Edwards and the Wolves make their season debut. Sacramento added the veteran scorer from Chicago in a

sign-and-trade this summer

after losing in last year’s Play-In Tournament. Now, they’ll open the year with an early test against one of the top teams in the West.

Saturday, Oct. 26: Thunder at Bulls (8 ET)

Two days after tipping off their season against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will head to Chicago, where newly-acquired Alex Caruso will face his former team and the player he was traded for, Josh Giddey. The two clubs

swapped guards in June

and will now face off in prime time on the first Saturday of the season.

Saturday, Oct. 26: Rockets at Spurs (8:30 ET)

In a Texas duel between two rising teams out West, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will take on Alperen Şengün and the Rockets. The matchup will also feature the No. 3 and No. 4 overall picks in this year’s draft, respectively, as Houston guard Reed Sheppard will go up against San Antonio guard Stephon Castle.

Saturday, Oct. 26: Mavericks at Suns (10 ET)

The star power continues Saturday night as Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs square up against Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Suns in the Valley. In three games against Phoenix last season, Dončić averaged 41.7 points — including a 50 piece on Christmas Day — and now has the sharp-shooting Klay Thompson at his disposal, who will be making just his second appearance as a Mav.

Sunday, Oct. 27: 76ers at Pacers (3:30 ET)

An early look at two Finals contenders in the East. Looking to improve on last season’s trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers will get an early test against the revamped Sixers, who added this summer’s biggest free-agent prize, Paul George, to their star core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Sunday, Oct. 27: Clippers at Warriors (8:30 ET)

The new-look Clippers have a busy Week 1. After sharing Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers for 25 years, they’ll debut their new home arena, the Intuit Dome, on Oct. 23 against the Suns. Then, following a trip to Denver on Oct. 26, LA will cap its week with an in-state battle against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.