NEW YORK – The NBA schedule is out, and the rivalries are already grabbing attention. But some of the most exciting nights this season come with a twist: Revenge games. Players returning to their old arenas often bring extra juice. For fans, it means drama, emotion, and often, standout performances. Here are ten returns worth circling.
Top 10 Revenge Games To Look Forward To This Season
Kevin Durant | Suns | November 24
Kevin Durant headlines the list. He spent two and a half uneven years in Phoenix. The Suns failed to make the play-in during both of his full seasons. Now with Houston, he heads back to Phoenix for the first time since his exit. The atmosphere should be warm, given the amicable nature of his trade. Still, any Durant return qualifies as must-watch basketball.
Bradley Beal | Suns | November 6
Bradley Beal’s stint in Phoenix was short and forgettable. The Suns stretched his contract to move forward. Now on the Clippers, Beal will revisit his old team in early November. Expect plenty of motivation. Few revenge games come this early in the season, but this one carries weight.
Anthony Davis | Lakers | November 28
Davis returning to Los Angeles needs no hype. The shock trade that sent him to Dallas for Luka Doncic stunned the league. He already faced the Lakers in April, but not in L.A. That changes this season. Expect both boos and cheers.
Norman Powell | Clippers | November 3
Norman Powell thrived with the Clippers but left without an extension. Now in Miami, he’ll get his shot to remind them of the mistake. Powell’s scoring punch could make this one of the more entertaining revenge games of the year.
Kristaps Porziņģis | Celtics | January 28
Kristaps Porziņģis found success in Boston, helping power the team to a championship run. Now with Atlanta, he returns in January. Fans will likely welcome him warmly, but his motivation to shine remains.
Jrue Holiday | Celtics | January 26
Jrue Holiday’s stop in Boston was just as impactful. He helped secure banner 18. Now in Portland, he returns to face his old squad two days before Porziņģis. Holiday’s defensive edge should spice up the matchup.
Deandre Ayton | Trail Blazers | October 27
Deandre Ayton’s exit from Portland wasn’t clean. Reports of poor work ethic leaked as the Blazers bought him out. Now a Laker, Ayton will have plenty to prove. If there’s a night for “DominAyton” to show up, this is it.
Myles Turner | Pacers | November 3
Myles Turner gave Indiana a decade before signing with Milwaukee. With both teams battling for playoff seeding, this will be intense. Fans may feel conflicted, but Turner has every reason to dominate.
Jalen Green | Rockets | December 5
Jalen Green’s Houston tenure ended with doubts about his winning impact. He still averaged 20 per game, but inconsistency overshadowed him. Now in Phoenix, Green returns as part of a new-look backcourt with Devin Booker. This one promises tension.
Honorable Mention: Desmond Bane
Desmond Bane was shipped away, but his return to Memphis won’t happen this season. The Grizzlies and Magic only meet in Europe. A lost revenge game, at least for now.
Revenge Games Add Another Layer
Revenge Games always carry a little more spark. From Durant in Phoenix to Powell in Los Angeles, these matchups add emotion to the grind of the regular season. Fans will tune in, players will push harder, and the storylines will write themselves.
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
The post Top 10 Revenge Games To Look Forward To This Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.