As we wait for the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the schedule has slowly started to come out. We recently learned the schedule for the Christmas Day slate of games, and now the opening night schedule has been revealed as well.

Read more: Lakers, Knicks Headline 2024 NBA Christmas Day Game Schedule

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, there will be two games played on Oct. 22 to tip-off the new season. Charania appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and broke the news of the games.

The first game will be the New York Knicks heading to TD Garden to take on the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. For the second matchup, the Minnesota Timberwolves will journey to Crypto.com Arena for a contest with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Knicks vs Celtics Opening Night Matchup

The Knicks and Celtics matchup features the two best teams from the Eastern Conference a year ago. Boston will be receiving their championship rings that evening as New York watches the historic No. 18 title banner be raised into the TD Garden.

New York added some firepower this offseason, landing star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges will pair alongside star guard Jalen Brunson, forward OG Anunoby, utility man Josh Hart, and forward Julius Randle to give the Knicks one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

This will be a chance for New York to prove that they belong in the conversation among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. It will be a strong test early on to see how the new-look Knicks fare against the defending champions.

Timberwolves vs Lakers Opening Night Matchup

As for the second matchup, the Timberwolves are fresh off an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. They will be looking to take that next step this season and get a chance to play one of the more interesting teams in the NBA, the Lakers.

Los Angeles is coming off a year where they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs but they do still have one of the better duos in the league, as LeBron James and Anthony Davis give the Lakers a fighting chance each time out on the court.

The two teams can use this matchup as a measuring test to see how they stack up in the loaded Western Conference. Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will get a chance to make a case for himself early on as he embarks on a potential MVP season.

Both matchups feature some real star power and the NBA has put marquee teams on the schedule for opening night. Each of these contests has intrigue and should make for a great way to kick off the new NBA season.

More news: Victor Wembanyama Sends Direct Warning To Rest of World Following Defeat to Team USA