5 must-see video games throughout NBA Rivals Week 2025 – NBA.Com

Breaking down the basic and budding rivalries that will probably be within the NBA highlight Jan. 21-25.
Steve Aschburner
Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards will take middle stage when the Nuggets and Wolves meet throughout NBA Rivals Week.
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Ten video games, 14 groups, 4 networks and 5 nights. That’s NBA Rivals Week this yr, the third version of intense January scheduling to focus on staff and particular person rivalries.
This 2025 model comes quick, with all 10 video games between Tuesday and Saturday. Among the particular person focus has been blurred, on account of accidents (Joel Embiid’s left knee, Luka Dončić’s left calf) or different circumstances (Zion Williamson vs. Ja Morant has neither the historical past nor staff sizzle most anticipated since they went No. 1-2 within the 2019 Draft).
Traditional and budding rivalries between groups and gamers will take middle stage for the third annual NBA Rivals Week.
Rivalries would be the focus of 10 nationally televised video games throughout 4 networks over 5 days from Jan. 21-25. pic.twitter.com/xYLEfRhq5Z
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 15, 2024

However sufficient is occurring for all 14 groups to have circled these video games in purple weeks or months in the past. Listed here are 5 that maintain explicit curiosity:
That is Spherical 2 of the rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinals between these groups. It’s not a pure rivalry, primarily based on geography or particular person rancor, however there may be some historical past. Apart from Minnesota eliminating the defending champions final spring, there was that Recreation No. 82 Wolves victory back in 2018 that earned them a playoff spot at Denver’s expense. When these groups met on Nov. 1, additionally at Goal Heart, Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. mixed to attain 83 factors however Minnesota’s bench topped Denver’s 31-13 in its 119-116 victory.
Dončić hasn’t performed since Christmas after straining his left calf. The plan then was to judge that damage in a month. That places Dallas proper up in opposition to it for the rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals. This would be the first assembly since Boston beat the Mavs in 5 video games, however each groups are sad with their latest play. The Mavericks have been 4-9 by Monday since Dončić final performed, whereas the Celtics are 4-4 of their final eight. So far as offensive and defensive rankings, although, Boston is third and fifth, respectively, whereas Dallas is hanging in at eighth and 12th. They play once more Feb. 6 in Boston.
There’s no love between these franchises, not after assembly thrice previously 5 postseasons (Miami has received twice). They’re competing for a similar house within the East, with solely three games separating Milwaukee’s fourth place from Miami’s eighth as of Tuesday morning. There nonetheless is perhaps some crankiness over the Bucks scooping up Damian Lillard when the Warmth thought he was theirs earlier than final season. And Miami has two gamers with Milwaukee roots — Tyler Herro, from suburban Greenfield, and Marquette product Jimmy Butler, who reportedly desires no a part of the Bucks in commerce hypothesis.
Two previous guys in a nursing residence, carrying “Celtics” and “Lakers” duplicate jerseys, will bang wheelchairs over this conflict many years from now. That’s how a lot juice the NBA’s most storied rivalry has. After they’re not competing at a macro stage (Boston has 18 championships to L.A.’s 17), they’re squaring off twice every common season, pitting legends from Invoice Russell, Jerry West, John Havlicek and Elgin Baylor to Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. Now it’s Jayson Tatum vs. LeBron James (who may wind up as teammates within the All-Star mini-tourney).
In what has been a season under expectations for each groups, we’re relying on geography, historical past and predicaments to gasoline this one. Golden State is 9-18 since its 12-3 begin and simply bought smoked by 40 on Monday vs. the Celtics. That is its solely street recreation (bus experience) interrupting eight straight at residence. The Kings are enjoying their final at Golden 1 Heart earlier than hitting the street for six in a row and 10 of 12. Sacramento is 9-1 in its final 10 underneath new coach Doug Christie, a turnaround the Warriors certainly covet. FYI: Stephen Curry’s lifetime numbers in 47 video games vs. the Kings — 24.8 ppg, 6.8 apg, 43.4% on 3-pointers — are higher than his profession marks.
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Steve Aschburner has written concerning the NBA since 1980. You possibly can e-mail him here, discover his archive here and follow him on X.
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