It's NBA schedule release week
The 2025-26 NBA schedule is trickling out ahead of Thursday's full release. Plus, "T.J. McConnell Night" scheduled for Aug. 27 at Victory Field.
It’s August — which means it’s the quietest time on the NBA calendar. Now is when coaches and staff members are able to enjoy rare downtime.
However, there’s always something going on — even if it’s nothing substantial.
For the league, it has continued to follow the NFL’s script of finding ways to stay in the conversation 365 days a year. That means contract extensions for some head coaches, the slow burn of preseason schedules being released by teams — they set their own schedules — and this week, it’s the NBA and its TV partners highlighting some of their biggest games.
All leading up to the full schedule release Thursday at 3:15 p.m. ET.
82 games per team. 41 at home and 41 on the road — for most teams. That’s changed with the increase of games overseas, like the Pacers were involved with last year playing two games in Paris against the San Antonio Spurs.
As always, you can expect my full breakdown of the schedule — national TV appearances, holiday games, key matchups, etc. It’s a fun exercise I do every single year. (Click here for last season.)
Already, we know five dates are set.
⚡️ Pacers-Thunder, Game 10
The Pacers’ first opponent this season will be their last from the previous season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pacers will host the defending champs to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday, Oct. 23. It’s a continuation of what was a competitive NBA Finals where the Pacers ultimately came up short in Game 7.
This will air nationally on ESPN.
These two franchises are very familiar with one another. After the finals, they played at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas AND they have a preseason game scheduled. While OKC seems far away, it’s really not. At least by charter flight.
There are zero non-stop flights between the cities, but their direct flight is just over an hour.
There will be no shortage of topics for the ESPN announcing team to discuss on the broadcast, leading off with the Thunder winning the title.
The good news for the Pacers is that it’s not opening night for the Thunder — aka ring night. Given that the Pacers led at halftime of Game 7, on the road, and lost Tyrese Haliburton for not just the rest of the game but also next season … that would have been too much.
That would’ve stung for Pacers fans. Probably always will anyway.
Instead, the Thunder host the Rockets on Oct. 21 for the first game of the NBA season.
The Pacers and Thunder will square off so soon into the season, but it’ll look much different since the Pacers will be without Haliburton and center Myles Turner, who left for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
If those two had not left, this first matchup may have been a Christmas Day game. That would have been a great choice. Instead, that marquee slate of games features eight Western Conference teams compared to just two — Cleveland and New York — in the East.
Additionally…
The NBA announced the full slate of games for Cup Group Play on Wednesday. It’s Year 3 for the NBA Cup and Prime Video, a new TV partner of the league, will air Friday night doubleheaders for five straight weeks. Plus, the semifinals and finals.
Here’s the Pacers’ schedule for Group Play:
Friday, October 31 v Atlanta Hawks | 7 ET
Friday, November 21 at Cleveland Cavaliers | 7 ET | Prime
Wednesday, November 26 at Toronto Raptors | 7:30 ET
Friday, November 28, vs Washington Wizards | 7:30 ET
So of the five games announced, two will air on national TV. It’s also noteworthy that the Pacers are away the day before Thanksgiving, then back home for the day after. Oftentimes, that's a week full of home games for Indiana.
📆 Two Preseason Dates Known
Since Rick Carlisle returned as head coach, their exhibition schedule has looked the same.
Two practice games on the road, two at home, then a week off until the regular season.
The Pacers have not yet announced their full preseason schedule, but several other teams have announced theirs.
Oct. 7 at Minnesota
Oct. 11 vs. OKC
Two good matchups against two like-minded franchises that should all reach the playoffs. That’s important in maximizing the preseason.
⚾️ Indy Indians hosting T.J. McConnell Night
If you still need to hit the ballpark in downtown Indianapolis before the end of the baseball season, the Indy Indians are giving you a great excuse to get to Victory Field.
The Indians are hosting “T.J. McConnell Night” on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
It’s fitting for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that McConnell is from Pittsburgh and the Indians are the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There will be “T.J.-themed entertainment” — and I can’t wait to see what all that entails.
He will sign autographs in the center field plaza from 5:30-6:10 p.m., then throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the real first pitch at 6:35 p.m.
It’s Game 2 of a six-game homestand against the Buffalo Bisons. Even more, tickets are half off with promo code “HALF.”
