On Friday, the NBA released the complete game and broadcast schedules for ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and TNT for its landmark 75th anniversary season.
The 2021-22 regular season, which sees teams return to a full, 82-game schedule, will tip-off on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, and conclude on Sunday, April 10, 2022. The play-in tournament will take place April 12-15, followed by the start of the NBA playoffs on Saturday, April 16.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled to be played on Thursday, June 2.
The release of the schedule marks a key moment as the exact dates of some marquee matchups become known. The unveiling also gives us our first look at when we can expect the rookie class to take the floor for the first time.
Of course, some matchups between the incoming rookie class will be very notable, including the first time Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green square off as the first two picks in the draft. Other contests also figure to be highly entertaining, as well.
Now that the schedule has been released, Rookie Wire went through and took a look at the most anticipated matchups between first-year players.