Budenholzer's return to Milwaukee and 5 other key dates on Bucks' schedule

The full slate of games for the 2024-25 NBA season has been released, and the Milwaukee Bucks have an assortment of intriguing games.

Without wasting any time, let's dive in and highlight some of the games fans will have to clear their calendars for.

Key dates on Milwaukee Bucks schedule

Milwaukee heads to Philadelphia to kick off the season on October 23.

This one had already been leaked, but just like they did last season, the Milwaukee Bucks will kick off their season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams had great offseasons, loading up on as much talent as they could get their hands on, so this should be a fun way to kick off the festivities. On the road, the Bucks find themselves in enemy territory right away.

Bucks get early season test against Celtics on October 28.

Five days after facing Philadelphia, the Milwaukee Bucks will head to Boston to face off against yet another Eastern Conference foe, the Celtics. The games between these two teams last season - and even the past few seasons - have been must-see, and this game should follow suit. Milwaukee will get to see an old friend in Jrue Holiday, a prominent storyline that will carry over from last season.

Bucks have playoff rematch with Pacers on November 22.

The Bucks and Pacers made it clear last season that they were not on the friendliest of terms with one another. After Indiana prevailed in their first-round playoff series last season, the Bucks will be motivated to knock them down when the two sides meet in the NBA Cup on November 22. Plenty of fireworks should be on display in that particular matchup.

No Christmas game for the Bucks.

For the first time in a long time, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be playing on Christmas. It had become a tradition for them to play on the holiday every year since their rise to contention, but after falling in the NBA Playoffs early in back-to-back seasons, it feels like they must now earn the respect of the schedule-makers back.

Lillard, Trent return to Portland on January 28.

Prior to landing in Milwaukee last year, Damian Lillard had spent his entire playing career in Portland, so there will always be emotional ties when he heads back there. Gary Trent Jr. spent the first three and a half years of his career there with Lillard, so they will both return to Portland for the first time as teammates in early 2025. That should be a good one.

Mike Budenholzer returns to Milwaukee on April 1.

There's no denying the impact Mike Budenholzer left on the Bucks during his coaching stint there, highlighted by an NBA Championship. When he returns to Milwaukee as the head coach of the Suns in early April, he will likely be met with an ovation by the Fiserv Forum crowd. What follows should be a good game featuring an abundance of offensive talent.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.