Knicks-Celtics kicks off 2024-25 NBA season on Oct. 22 - ESPN

Built to win a championship, the Knicks will immediately see how they and their newest player, Mikal Bridges, stack up when they try to spoil the Celtics' championship ring celebration on opening night in Boston.

The NBA unveiled its 2024-25 schedule Thursday with the Knicks-Celtics rivalry opening the season on Oct. 22. That will be followed by Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Edwards squaring off on the marquee night when the Lakers host the Timberwolves.

The Knicks finished second in the Eastern Conference last season — 14 games behind the first-place Celtics — but were plagued by injuries in the postseason and lost in the conference semifinals to the Pacers, who were then swept by the Celtics in the conference finals.

In an attempt to gain ground on the reigning champion Celtics, the Knicks swung their first trade with the Nets since 1983, sending five first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap and a second-round pick to land Bridges in the biggest trade of the summer.

The Knicks hope the addition of Bridges, who will be reunited with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo in New York, will help them win the East. The Celtics finished with the NBA's best record (64-18) last season before going 16-3 in the postseason, rolling to the 18th championship in franchise history and their first since 2008.

Edwards and the Wolves are looking to take a step forward after reaching the Western Conference finals last postseason. The Lakers' opener could also be a first glimpse at rookie Bronny James, selected 55th overall out of USC.

The second night of the season will be highlighted by another heavyweight matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders. The 76ers' new big three