The 2024-25 NBA season is set to feature some significant player movements, bringing familiar faces to new teams. This summer saw a notable reshuffling of rosters, as high-profile players moved to different franchises, sparking excitement for the upcoming season.
Several of these players will be making highly anticipated returns to their former teams, with fans expected to give them a warm welcome. Here’s a look at five key homecoming games to watch this season.
Paul George: 76ers vs. Clippers, Nov. 6
Paul George will face his former team early in the season when the Philadelphia 76ers play against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 6. This matchup won’t be a conventional homecoming; George will play at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new venue in Inglewood, California, during just their sixth regular season game there. After five successful seasons with the Clippers, where he achieved three All-Star selections, George signed a four-year, $212 million deal with Philadelphia.
Klay Thompson: Mavericks vs. Warriors, Nov. 12
An emotional matchup is anticipated on November 12, as Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks visit the Golden State Warriors. Thompson spent 13 years with the Warriors, winning four NBA championships and being named an All-Star five times. After two seasons sidelined by injury, he played a key role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Following this golden era, Thompson joined the Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract.
Karl-Anthony Towns: Knicks vs. Timberwolves, Dec. 19
The first face-off between the Knicks and Timberwolves this season is set to be intriguing, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns returning to Minnesota on December 19. Towns was traded to the Knicks in a significant deal, with Julius Randle heading to Minnesota. Having spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Timberwolves, where he was selected first overall in 2015, Towns will return to face a team that decided to move on from him despite his impressive contributions.
DeMar DeRozan: Kings vs. Bulls, Jan. 12
DeMar DeRozan is expected to receive a warm reception in Chicago when the Sacramento Kings face the Bulls on January 12. After a successful three-year stint in Chicago, where he earned All-Star honors in his first two seasons, DeRozan moved to Sacramento as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls. His return to Chicago promises to be a heartfelt moment for both fans and the player.
Mikal Bridges: Knicks vs. Nets, Jan. 21
Mikal Bridges will be changing boroughs rather than cities as he continues his career with the New York Knicks after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets. In this new chapter, Bridges reunites with multiple former college teammates, enhancing the excitement of these matchups. He will face his old team several times this season, with the Knicks hosting the Nets at Madison Square Garden twice, and making a trip to Barclays Center on January 21, as well as again on April 13 for the regular-season finale.
This NBA season promises to be filled with thrilling matchups and heartfelt reunions as players return to their former homes.