What is NBA Rivals Week? Explaining the history and games

First introduced in 2022, the NBA Rivals Week features classic as well as new rivalries across the league. These rivalries can include legacy teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, some of the top rookies squaring off, teams battling over the same city, or MVP candidates trying to best each other.

This year, it will take place from January 23 to January 27. It will include 11 nationally televised games on TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV. 

2024 NBA Rivals Week Schedule

January 23, 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT: New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets

January 23, 10 p.m. ET on TNT: Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers

January 24, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC: Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks

January 24, 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

January 25, 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat

January 25, 10 p.m. ET on TNT: Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors

January 26, 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV: Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks

January 26, 9:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs

January 27, 3 p.m. ET on ABC: Miami Heat at New York Knicks

January 27, 5:30 p.m. ET on ABC: Philadelphia 76ers at Denver Nuggets

January 27, 8:30 p.m. on ABC: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors

The Sacramento Kings and the NBA Rivals Week

For the first time, the Kings will be a part of the NBA Rival Week. They will face off with the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of last season’s highly competitive playoff series. 

The two teams seem to be forming a rivalry around that series, Draymond Green stomping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest, and the Kings knocking the Warriors out of the first-ever In-Season Tournament, and the league is pushing it. 

This will already be the fourth meeting between the two California teams this season. The Warriors won the first two but then gave up a sizable lead in the third, and the Kings got the 124-123 win. 

Since then, both teams have been struggling and going through rough patches. Nevertheless, this game should be a fun one because both teams always try to give it their all when they meet. 

The Kings just need to figure out a way to slow down Stephen Curry, who has been a nightmare for them ever since that playoff series. Youngster Keegan Murray has drawn the assignment lately and will have to face yet another test of his growing defensive ability. 

For the Kings, this is another chance to show that they are ready to take over and represent the new generation of Northern California basketball.