Starry Night Tip-Off: Preseason Hoops Begin for the 2024-25 Season

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The action doesn’t stop after the Celtics and Nuggets tip off for the 2024-25 preseason opener in Abu Dhabi. Friday features two more matchups to get the preseason going as the New Zealand Breakers take on the Jazz before the T-Wolves face the Lakers.

New Zealand Breakers at Jazz (9 ET, NBA League Pass): How will one of the best teams in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) fare against Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz?

The Recent History: 2024-25 marks the third straight preseason featuring at least one NBL vs. NBA game, with the NBA leading the series 5-1Round 2: Tonight’s meeting will be a rematch from last preseason when Utah defeated New Zealand 114-94 behind Markkanen’s 15 points and seven boardsPlayers To Watch:

Three notable 2024 Draft picks are expected to suit up for Utah: Cody Williams (No. 10 pick), the younger brother of OKC star Jalen Williams; Isaiah Collier (No. 29), a standout guard from USC; and former Duke All-American Kyle Filipowski (No. 32)

Timberwolves at Lakers (10:30 ET, NBA TV): What can we expect when Anthony Edwards and the new-look Wolves face LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, with Bronny James expected to make his preseason debut?

Setting The Stage: The Lakers selected Bronny with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 Draft, making the NBA’s first active father-son duo. No father and son pairing has ever played together in an NBA gameMeasuring Stick: Now entering his 22nd NBA season, LeBron will look to help the Lakers bounce back from last year’s first-round Playoff exit and will get an early test tonight against last year’s Western Conference FinalistsNew To The Pack:

On the other side, the Wolves will be making their first appearance since trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for fellow All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, whose availability for tonight are unknown

Preseason hoops continues tomorrow in Honolulu, as Stephen Curry and the Warriors make their first outing of the 2024-25 season against James Harden and the Clippers in a standalone Saturday game.

Warriors vs. Clippers (7 ET, NBA TV | Honolulu, HI)

Then, Sunday delivers a five-game slate to wrap up the weekend, headlined by the second and final game from Abu Dhabi and the 10th edition of the Canada Series.

Nuggets vs. Celtics (10 a.m. ET, NBA TV | NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024)Knicks at Hornets (5 ET, NBA TV)Wizards vs. Raptors (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass | NBA Canada Series)Bucks at Pistons (8 ET, ESPN)Suns at Lakers

(9:30 ET, NBA League Pass)