Media Release

NBA on TNT’s Exclusive 2021-22 Opening Night Doubleheader to Tip Off NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season with Nets vs. Bucks Rematch, Followed by Warriors vs. Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 19, Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET

NBA on TNT

Special 90-Minute TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax Pregame Show to Precede Tuesday’s Doubleheader with the Sports Emmy Award-Winning Inside the NBA presented by Kia Studio Team – Live from Los Angeles – Beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday’s TNT Pregame Coverage to Unveil Initial List of 25 Members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, with the Final 25 Members to be Announced During TNT’s Pregame on Thursday, Oct. 21

The NBA on TNT will tip off the NBA’s 75th anniversary season on Tuesday, Oct. 19, with a special night of programming, including an expanded 90-minute TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax pregame show live from just  outside of STAPLES Center in Los Angeles beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

Tuesday's pregame coverage, with the Sports Emmy Award-winning studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles BarkleyShaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, will feature the announcement of 25 members of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, representing a cross-section of positions and eras from throughout the NBA’s rich history. TNT will also unveil the final 25 members to be made public during the network’s expanded pregame coverage on Thursday, Oct. 21, also beginning at 6 p.m. The NBA’s 75th anniversary team is being selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media and current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives.

The show will also feature the Bucks' ring ceremony and live reports – hosted by Adam Lefkoe – from Milwaukee’s spirited Deer District

Later at 7:30 p.m., the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks and reigning NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will host the Brooklyn Nets with Kevin Durant and James Harden in a rematch of their epic seven-game 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal. 

The night’s second game will showcase the Los Angeles Lakers and offseason acquisition Russell Westbrook joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the first time against the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green at 10 p.m.

NBA on TNT Opening Night

Kia NBA Tip Off Week on TNT will also showcase a premier doubleheader on Thursday, Oct. 21, beginning with a match-up between two of the league’s brightest young stars – the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Dončić at the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young at 7:30 p.m. – followed by the LA Clippers and Paul George at the Warriors and Curry at 10 p.m.

A special TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax pregame show will precede Thursday’s game coverage as well with Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith joined by Dwyane Wade during the 90-minute show.

Ian Eagle will provide play-by-play alongside Stan Van Gundy (analyst) and Stephanie Ready (reporter) for Nets/Bucks and later Dallas/Atlanta on Thursday, while Kevin HarlanReggie Miller (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter) will call Warriors/Lakers and Clippers/Warriors.

In addition to best-in-class linear coverage on TNT, Turner Sports will be offering NBA Twitter Live – a complementary live stream experience on Twitter. Now in its fourth season, NBA Twitter Live offers fans unique opportunities to follow their favorite players during each game. A live poll will be available via @NBA throughout the entire first half of select games, whereby fans can vote for the player they want the iso-cam to follow during the second half. Taylor Rooks and Channing Frye will host NBA Twitter Live during Warriors/Lakers live from Staples Center on Oct. 19. Lefkoe, Wade and Frye will host the show live from State Farm Arena for Mavericks/Hawks on Oct. 21, with Rooks serving as on-site correspondent.

Live streaming coverage of all NBA on TNT games will be available via http://www.tntdrama.com/watchtnt and the Watch TNT app and participating TV providers’ websites and apps. Fans will be able to access the games whenever and wherever they desire by logging in with the username and password provided by their TV service provider.

NBA on TNT’s 2021-22 NBA Regular Season Opening Week Schedule 

Day 

Date 

Time (ET) 

Game 

Tuesday 

Oct. 19 

6 p.m.  

TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax  

Tuesday 

Oct. 19 

7:30 p.m. 

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks 

Tuesday 

Oct. 19 

10 p.m. 

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers 

Thursday 

Oct. 21 

6 p.m.  

TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax  

Thursday 

Oct. 21 

7:30 p.m. 

Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks 

Thursday 

Oct. 21 

10 p.m. 

LA Clippers at Golden State Warriors 

 

About Turner Sports 
Turner Sports, a division of WarnerMedia, is an industry leader in the delivery of premium sports content across all platforms, widely recognized for its expansive partnerships with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and the National Hockey League. The Turner Sports portfolio also includes Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans driving engagement and video views across all social platforms and the B/R app, with premier brands including House of Highlights, B/R Football, B/R Gridiron, B/R Kicks, B/R Betting, B/R Open Ice, B/R Walk-Off, and B/R Gaming. Turner Sports co-manages NBA Digital – comprised of NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE Pass, the NBA App and NBAGLEAGUE.com – as well as NCAA.com and the NCAA March Madness Live suite of products. Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR