Kickoff for the Season: NBA Media Day Arrives on September 29!

30 September 2025 30 September 2025

The offseason clock has hit zero and the league’s annual circus of pressers, promos and posed portraits lands in full force on September 29. Today, 25 teams take turns under the lights for Media Day — think quickfire quotes, rookie debuts, comeback updates and the inevitable fashion flex. I’ve been through enough of these to know: the real stories show up in the little moments — a veteran’s grin, a rookie’s jaw set, a coach’s offhand line. Below I walk you through the schedule, the must-watch storylines, how to stream every minute, and the offseason moves you might’ve slept on this summer. Follow along like you’re courtside.

What Is NBA Media Day And Why September 29 Matters

Media Day is the official end of the offseason and the unofficial start to the next grind. Teams use it for photoshoots, video promos, and a stack of interviews that set tone for training camp. After five squads opened camp overseas last week, the rest of the league flips the switch today in their home cities.

Here’s the fast schedule for the day so you know when to tune in. Times are ET.

9:00 a.m. Hawks
9:30 a.m. Pacers, Raptors
10:00 a.m. Celtics, Spurs, Jazz
10:30 a.m. Nuggets
11:00 a.m. Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Heat, Wizards
12:00 p.m. Bulls, Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies, Bucks, Thunder, Magic, Trail Blazers
2:00 p.m. Lakers, Timberwolves, Kings
3:00 p.m. Clippers

Keep an eye out for LeBron James as he hits his 23rd Media Day — a neat bit of trivia that reads like a stat line: when your seasons played matches your jersey number. Final takeaway: Media Day is chaotic, but it’s where narratives get planted.

Quick checklist for fans attending or watching

Bring your patience — expect lines if you’re courtside.
Follow team social channels for instant shots and promos.
Watch for player promos that end up on the NBA Store and Fanatics.

Media Day plants the seeds for the next three months — pay attention to tone, not just headlines.

How To Follow NBA Media Day Coverage On September 29

If you want every soundbite and wardrobe reveal, there are a few spots that cut through the noise. The NBA App runs daylong highlights, and outlets are live-blogging the hits as they happen.

Watch curated clips on the NBA App and stream the day recap at 4 p.m. ET.
Follow live blogs for play-by-play press-room updates.
Catch viral moments on team Twitter and Instagram feeds.

For longform recaps and analysis, I recommend the daily roundups and game previews. If you want highlights and commentary during the day, start with this live hub for play and analysis: NBA highlights live.

Whether you prefer bite-sized clips or full pressers, there’s a channel for you — just pick one and stick with it so you don’t miss the moments that spread fastest.

Best streaming tips from a guy who’s been there

Use the NBA App for continuous highlights.
Set alerts for your team to avoid spoiler fatigue.
Check team accounts for behind-the-scenes footage that never makes TV.

Pro tip: the best clips often come from sideline cameras and team promos; those are the gems the next morning.

Top Storylines To Watch During Media Day September 29

There’s a lot bubbling under the surface of the season — from blockbuster trades to injury comebacks. Here are the narratives I’ll be circling all day.

LeBron’s longevity: His 23rd Media Day is a reminder of blue-chip durability.
Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut vibe: The No. 1 pick carries draft hype into real expectations.
Kevin Durant in Houston: A late-summer trade that reshaped rosters and roles.
Jayson Tatum’s recovery: Early gym work after an Achilles rupture will be under the microscope.
International momentum: EuroBasket stars hitting the NBA stage add another layer.

Want the deep dive on offseason moves and how they’ll matter? Read the full trade and draft breakdown here: NBA offseason trades & drafts.

These storylines tell you what to expect from training camp room chemistry and early rotations — they’re the pulse of the season’s first three weeks.

Five names I’m watching closely

Cooper Flagg — rookie poise and defensive instincts.
Kevin Durant — adaptation to a new system and teammates.
Jayson Tatum — early movement and confidence on-court.
Tyrese Maxey — how his summer changes affect his playstyle.
Zion Williamson — health, minutes, and how the Pelicans space the floor.

Watch their first recorded interviews and on-court clips — they’ll set expectations for the preseason and training camp battles.

Gear, Fashion, And The Little Things That Go Viral On Media Day

Media Day isn’t just talk — it’s also a runway. Brand partnerships get their close-ups and the merch drops start to filter into the NBA Store and Fanatics. Expect signature looks, new sneakers, and sponsor shout-outs.

Nike and Adidas headline most on-court shoes; watch for exclusive colorways.
Under Armour pops up with select players’ off-court fits.
Ball brands like Spalding and Wilson get used in warm-up drills and promos.
Hydration and locker-room shots usually feature Gatorade.
Watch sponsor patches like Tissot and State Farm on jerseys and sidelines.

If you care about what players wear and what sells, Media Day is the marketplace — and what shows up today is already trending for tomorrow’s drops.

Items that usually sell out fast

Player autographed jerseys on the NBA Store and Fanatics.
Limited sneaker collabs with Nike or Adidas.
Team warmups and promo tees seen in player social posts.

Fashion and endorsements aren’t just fluff; they tell you which players are becoming cultural icons.

Key Dates After Media Day: Training Camps, Opening Night, And Where To Watch

Media Day kicks off a three-week push to Opening Night. Here are the must-know broadcast windows and early-season highlights so you can plan your viewing calendar.

Training camps open the day after Media Day for these 25 teams — the sprint to tip-off begins.
Opening Night: Tuesday, Oct. 21 on NBC & Peacock — Rockets at Thunder (7:30 ET), Warriors at Lakers (10:00 ET).
ESPN opens its season coverage on Oct. 22 with Cavs at Knicks and Spurs at Mavericks.
Prime debuts NBA coverage Friday of Opening Week and will handle Emirates NBA Cup Group Play games starting Oct. 31.

For context and a look at the season schedule and major national windows, check this breakdown of top players and rankings heading into the year: NBA 2025 player rankings.

Knowing broadcast homes and key dates keeps you from missing the first glimpses of how teams look in real games.

Summer Rewind: The Moves, Draft Picks, And Headlines That Shaped This Offseason

There was no calm this summer — trades, a top pick with expectations, and international tournaments that shifted narratives. If you blinked, here’s what to catch up on.

Kevin Durant to Houston: A late-summer trade that reverberated across rosters — read the piece on the move and crypto chatter here: Coinbase and KD.
Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 pick and showed flashes in Summer League — see the draft context: Draft & rankings.
Summer League and the draft produced surprise standouts — more on rookies and Summer League winners here: Elite forwards and rookies.
EuroBasket gave us international storylines — Germany won with a trio of NBA contributors, lifting the global stage’s relevance.
Hall of Fame entrants included big names and brought veteran legacies back into the conversation.

For deeper reads and off-court human interest, check these stories: Reaves’ arrival into the league culture (Reaves welcome), and important player health news like Jason Collins’ updates (Jason Collins health) and follow-ups (Jason Collins update).

The summer shaped markets, roles and expectations — this section is your ticket to understanding why training camp chatter matters.

Resources to dive deeper

Offseason trade breakdown: Trades & drafts.
Top-100 player lists and ranks: Top superstars.
Player rankings and projections: 2025 player rankings.

Read these before training camp starts and you’ll understand why coaches make certain lineup choices.

FAQ — Quick Answers Fans Actually Need

When are the remaining Media Days held?
All remaining home-market Media Days for the league’s teams are on September 29, with five teams having already held theirs during overseas trips.

Where can I stream Media Day highlights?
The NBA App is the central hub for highlights and a 4 p.m. ET day recap. Team social channels and live blogs are great for play-by-play and behind-the-scenes footage.

Which networks carry Opening Night and early-season games?
Opening Night airs on NBC and Peacock (Oct. 21), with ESPN, ABC and Prime joining for early-season doubleheaders and the Emirates NBA Cup.

What merchandise and gear should collectors watch for on Media Day?
Sneaker collabs from Nike and Adidas, limited promo tees and signed jerseys on the NBA Store and Fanatics typically sell fast. Manufacturer gear from Under Armour, hydration from Gatorade, and game balls like Spalding and Wilson are common features.

How do Media Day moments affect the opening weeks?
They set storylines and chemistry expectations. A confident rookie or a revealing quote from a veteran can shift rotation debates and fan anticipation heading into training camp.