NBC this morning formally announced its first batch of NBA games as the league returns to the network this fall for the first time since 2002. Coverage will begin on Oct. 21 with a season-opening doubleheader featuring the Rockets and newly-acquired F Kevin Durant taking on the Thunder as they begin their NBA title defense. The nightcap will feature Warriors-Lakers, with both games airing on the broadcast channel and Peacock. The streaming service will debut its new “Peacock NBA Monday” franchise on Oct. 27 with a Cavaliers-Pistons and Nuggets-T’Wolves doubleheader. Additionally, NBC/Peacock will host more than 10 hours of coverage on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) with four games. The games were announced on NBC’s “Today,” with the mascots for both the Thunder and Rockets in the plaza at 30 Rock to promote the news. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Malika Andrews appeared on ABC’s “GMA” this morning to announce select games airing on the cable channel. Mavericks F Cooper Flagg, the top pick in this year’s Draft, will make his NBA debut against the Spurs in the second game of a doubleheader on Oct. 22. The opening game will be Cavaliers-Knicks. ESPN also will air a Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals rematch on Oct. 23. The five-game Christmas Day slate contains a decidedly Western Conference flavor, with ESPN/ABC airing the entire batch beginning at noon ET (SBJ).
THE WEST IS THE BEST: USA TODAY’s Robert Zeglinski noted the reported games for opening night and Christmas have a “distinct lack of Eastern basketball flavor.” Of the seven games, only the Cavaliers and Knicks are “carrying the East’s torch.” Essentially the only two teams featured are the “two who might end up meeting in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.” Otherwise, the NBA is “temporarily giving up on selling the East to hardcore fans and casuals alike.” The NBA is saying “no other East team this season has the juice.” At least, “not yet” (USA TODAY, 8/11).