NBA releases full schedule, plans to mark 75th anniversary / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Credit Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA released the full schedule for the 2021-22 season on Friday, outlining just how it will celebrate its 75th season.

The league will do so by highlighting the teams and events that have shaped the league's history, including a showcase of the three franchises -- the Knicks, Celtics, and Warriors -- that have been a part of each season.

Earlier this week, the NBA released its opening day schedule -- play will begin October 19 -- and the five marquee matchups set for Christmas Day.

The 2021-22 schedule is a return to the typical 82 games per team after a reduced number of games over the past two seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league is holding what it calls "NBA 75 Classic Matchups" to mark its diamond jubilee year. They include:

A Nov. 1 matchup between the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV) -- 75 years after the league's first regular-season game played between the Knicks and Toronto Huskies. The Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors will face each over a three-game round-robin on December 14, 17, and 18. On January 7, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Atlanta Hawks (10 p.m. ET, ESPN) to mark the 50th anniversary of the Lakers' 33rd straight victory, a win over the Hawks. The 33-game streak is still the longest winning streak in league history.

The October 19 season-opening games will feature contests between the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets, as well as the Warriors and the Lakers.

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