Bucks open season against Nets on Oct. 19
The Milwaukee Bucks officially kick off the defense of their NBA championship on Oct. 19 against a very familiar opponent.
The Bucks will open the 2021-22 NBA season against the Brooklyn Nets at 6:30 p.m. at Fiserv Forum in a game broadcast by TNT.
On Tuesday the NBA announced its opening-week games and the marquee Christmas Day matchups as the league prepares for its 75th season.
The reigning NBA Finals winner usually gets the first game and the festivities include the unveiling of a championship banner and a ring ceremony.
It's fitting that the Bucks' opening matchup comes against the Nets because the teams had a seven-game clash in the second round of the playoffs . Milwaukee prevailed in overtime in Game 7 to survive the biggest playoff test in its run to the title.
Being one of the top teams with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo means the Bucks also will play on Christmas Day, hosting the Boston Celtics at 1:30 p.m. at Fiserv Forum. This will be the Bucks' fourth straight game on the holiday after facing the New York Knicks in 2018, the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 and the Golden State Warriors last year.
Christmas is shaping up as a busy one for Wisconsin sports fans, as the Green Bay Packers also play that day, hosting the Cleveland Browns at 3:30 p.m.
The Bucks also announced their preseason schedule. Milwaukee opens with two exhibition games on the road: at the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 5 and at Brooklyn Oct. 8. The Bucks will play at the Utah Jazz on Oct. 13.
There will be two preseason games at Fiserv Forum: vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 10 and against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 15 to conclude the exhibition slate.
The full regular-season schedule is expected to be released Friday.