The 2018-19 NBA season is still over two months away, but the league’s annual schedule release is rapidly approaching. The Golden State Warriors facing off against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers having another shot at taking down the Boston Celtics are reportedly two potential opening night matchups, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
Hearing there’s a good chance TNT season-opening slate will be #Sixers–#Celtics and #Thunder–#Warriors on Oct. 16
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 1, 2018
If these two matchups come to fruition on the league’s opening night on October 16, they would be incredibly intriguing. The personal rivalry of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant has lost little excitement whenever the former MVP’s go at it.
On the other hand, a rematch of last season’s intriguing second-round battle between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, which featured a pair of franchises that should rule the Eastern Conference for years to come, would put on display the versatility and young talent of both teams on opening night.
Notable names that could potentially be tipping off the 2018-19 NBA season include All-Stars Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, along with 2018 Rookie of the Year winner and finalist Ben Simmons and Jayson Tatum, respectively, along with the notable return of forward Gordon Hayward, who missed all but one game last season recovering from an ankle fracture.
