Cleveland Cavaliers 2024-25 schedule: Season opener, other key dates fans should know

Ben Leibowitz, Akron Beacon Journal

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2024-25 season looking to build upon back-to-back playoff appearances, as new head coach Kenny Atkinson replaces J.B. Bickerstaff.

The Cavs lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals last postseason to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in five games.

The core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley remains intact, so Cleveland is hoping a new voice on the sidelines can get the Cavs over the hump.

Promotional schedule: Cavs to mark 30 years at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse when they play Lebron James and Lakers

Here are key dates fans should know heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

When is Cleveland Cavaliers media day in 2024?

Oct 2, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with Cavaliers Kids Club reporters during media day at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with Cavaliers Kids Club reporters during media day at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cavs media day is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Cleveland shares their media day with every NBA team except for the Denver Nuggets (who have their media day on Sept. 26) and reigning champion Celtics (who had their media day on Sept. 24).

When does Cleveland Cavs preseason start? What is the preseason schedule?

The Cavs’ preseason schedule begins on Tuesday, Oct. 8 vs. the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers will play four preseason games total.

The others are Thursday, Oct. 10 vs. the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Detroit Pistons and Friday, Oct. 18 at Chicago.

When is the Cleveland Cavaliers season opener?

Feb 10, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena . Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena . Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs open the 2024-25 season on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

When is the Cleveland Cavs home opener?

Mar 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After playing at Toronto to begin the season, the Cavs return home for their home opener Friday, Oct. 25 vs. former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons.

Tipoff of the home opener is likewise scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

When do the Cleveland Cavs play on national TV during the 2024-25 season?

The Cavs, at the time of writing, will be featured on national television eight times throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Those games are as follows (home games are in bold):

  • Friday, Nov. 1, vs. Orlando Magic (ESPN)

  • Tuesday, Nov. 19, @ Boston Celtics (TNT)

  • Tuesday, Jan. 14, @ Indiana Pacers (TNT)

  • Friday, Feb. 21, vs. New York Knicks (ESPN)

  • Tuesday, Feb. 25, @ Orlando Magic (TNT)

  • Friday, Feb. 28, @ Boston Celtics (ESPN)

  • Wednesday, March 5, vs. Miami Heat (ESPN)

  • Thursday, April 10, @ Indiana Pacers (TNT)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs schedule, season opener, national TV games

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