OKLAHOMA CITY, August 3, 2010 – The NBA announced four of the Thunder’s 82 games for the 2010-11 NBA season tonight during a special broadcast on NBA TV. As a part of the NBA Schedule Selection Special the league announced games played during the NBA’s Kia Motors Tip-Off '10, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Oklahoma City will take the court in each of the three marquee dates on the NBA’s calendar including twice during premiere week, it was announced.
“We are humbled to be selected as participants during the NBA’s signature programming,” said Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing Brian Byrnes. “Our loyal and passionate fans are excited to see the team take the court for the 2010-11 season. Hosting a game on Christmas Night is an example of how our community and brand are recognized throughout the NBA as a big league city.”
The Thunder will open the 2010-11 season at the Ford Center on October 27 against the Chicago Bulls at 7:00 PM. The game will air nationally on ESPN. The Thunder and the Bulls split last year’s season series, each winning on the opponent’s home court. This marks the third season in a row that the Thunder will open the year in the Ford Center. The Thunder is 1-1 on opening night in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder will host the Utah Jazz on October 31 at 6:00 PM on NBATV. Last season Oklahoma City was 3-1 versus the Jazz.
The Thunder will take part in one of the league’s annual traditions for the first time in Oklahoma City when they host the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Night. The Christmas Night game will be featured on ESPN and will tip-off at 7:00PM. Denver won the season series with the Thunder last season winning twice at the Pepsi Center and once at the Ford Center in four contests.
The Thunder will once again play a road game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Last season the Thunder defeated the Atlanta Hawks in a thriller at Philips Arena in Atlanta. This season the Thunder will travel to Los Angeles to play the Lakers at 9:30 PM on MLK Day. The game will be shown nationally on ESPN. The Lakers beat the Thunder in three out of their four regular season contests last season prior to their meeting in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The remainder of the NBA schedule will be announced on Tuesday, August 10th.