5 teams with toughest schedule to start 2024-25 NBA season
The 2024-25 NBA season is getting closer by the day. Today was an important date for fans, as they learned about their respective teams' calendars.
Whenever the schedule is released, plenty of people undertake the exercise of trying to find out which team will have a more difficult start to the campaign.
The first two months of the season are key for playoff aspirations. If you make it to December in a good position, a playoff spot appears likely. That said, some squads will have a tougher start to the season that could define their fate before April.
Top 5 toughest schedules to start 2024-25 NBA season
#5 OKC Thunder
The young OKC Thunder team struck its hands on the table last season, taking the No. 1 spot in the West on the final day of the regular season. They are now set to start the 2024-25 campaign with a handful of complicated games.
The Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers will face the Thunder in the first two months of the competition. The LA Lakers and Orlando Magic are part of the calendar in October and November too.
#4 Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors missed the playoffs last season and if they can't sort out the start of the next campaign, things could go left quickly. The Dubs will face the New Orleans Pelicans three times between October and November and the LA Clippers twice.
Moreover, they'll clash against the OKC Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets before December.
#3 Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks had a terrific 2023-24 NBA season, going all the way to the Finals. After losing to the Celtics 4-1, they're ready to bounce back and challenge for the title again. However, the start of the season will be anything but easy.
The Mavericks will face the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns twice in the first two months of the competition. In the middle of those duels, the Pelicans, Magic, Warriors, Rockets, Knicks, Timberwolves and Pacers will visit or host the Texans.
#2 LA Clippers
The LA Clippers will need to demonstrate that they are about winning from the very beginning of the season. The Los Angeles team missed key pieces in the NBA offseason and they'll need to get used to each other on the go to not miss the postseason.
The Clips will face the Suns, Thunder, Warriors, 76ers and Kings twice. Other major teams like the Celtics, Magic and Nuggets will be in the mix too.
#1 Phoenix Suns
If the Clippers had a tough schedule to start the season, the Suns would go to war in October and November. With Mike Budeholzer as the helmsman, they hope to improve their performance in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Phoenix will face the Lakers three times and the Clippers and Mavericks twice. Other competitive squads like the 76ers, Knicks, Magic, Warriors, Thunder and Timberwolves will be waiting for them.