The NBA regular season is finally back and with it a whole new season of excellent League Pass games. The early part of the season brings intrigue for every team and the first week features some of the stars in new places, including Sunday’s Game of the Week between the Timberwolves and Thunder. Amazingly, Utah makes this list three times due to their stacked early schedule. 

Wednesday

Bucks at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.: An excellent way to start the League Pass season, even though Boston will be on the tail end of a tough back-to-back made even more difficult by the loss of Gordon Hayward. Giannis Antetokounmpo was phenomenal last season and the Bucks will be playing him mostly at power forward without Jabari Parker. 

Pelicans at Grizzlies, 8 p.m.: Marc Gasol has to contend with both DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis in a game that should be a good calibrator for both playoff hopefuls.

Nuggets at Jazz, 9 p.m.: Beyond Rudy Gobert vs. Nikola Jokic, these teams are looking to establish themselves with different personnel. Jamal Murray gets a tough test starting a point guard with Ricky Rubio, who will hopefully lead a more uptempo Jazz squad.

Thursday

Bulls at Raptors, 7:30 p.m.: The first game of the night will be worth keeping an eye on at least until Knicks/Thunder starts. Chicago has an army of young point guards that will have their hands full with Kyle Lowry and big man Lauri Markkanen will play in his first NBA game.

Friday

Celtics at 76ers, 7 p.m.: The Process gets closer to fruition in Philadelphia’s home opener. Joel Embiid should be on the floor along with the last two No. 1 picks in the draft. Kyrie Irving will have to shoulder the offensive load but could have a nice show-off game here if they can find the range.

Jazz at Timberwolves, 8 p.m.: Gobert vs. Towns. No other sales pitch needed, though there are plenty of other ones. 

Lakers at Suns, 10 p.m.: A good calibrator for two young teams that will likely be figuring themselves out in the early part of the season. Lonzo Ball starts his career with Patrick Beverley and Eric Bledsoe on a back-to-back while No. 3 pick Josh Jackson could spend most of the night on Brandon Ingram.

Saturday

Mavericks at Rockets, 8 p.m.: Dennis Smith was always going to make LPGW at least once his first week and battling Chris Paul is a great way to do it. Beyond serving as an exhibition for Houston’s offense, the difference between Dallas’ defense with and without Nerlens Noel will be worth watching.

Trail Blazers at Bucks, 8:30 p.m.: A fun match-up that only happens twice per year. These teams have very different strengths and it will be fascinating to see how Jusuf Nurkic and Thon Maker try to maximize their advantages.

Thunder at Jazz, 9 p.m.: Oklahoma City’s first League Pass game of the year was always going to make the list and the Jazz should be a fascinating foil with great rim protection and a strong front line.

Sunday

Hawks at Nets, 3:30 p.m.: D’Angelo Russell gets a chance to prove himself against Dennis Schroder and the Hawks as former Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson faces his old team. John Collins should make Atlanta’s second unit worth watching and Brooklyn should be one of the more fun non-playoff teams this season.

Timberwolves at Thunder, 7 p.m. (Game of the Week): I have zero idea why this is on League Pass. It should be an excellent game featuring two teams worth watching early in the season who could end up facing each other in the playoffs. Jimmy Butler and Paul George will likely do battle on both ends of the floor while Russell Westbrook looks to build on last season’s MVP campaign. 

Pelicans at Lakers, 9:30 p.m.: A nice capper to the league’s first weekend in what should be an entertaining game at least. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins will be the two best players on the court (unless Kyle Kuzma’s Hall of Fame path begins earlier than expected) but keep an eye on how Lonzo Ball fares against Jrue Holiday.