Cleveland Cavs veteran Lonzo Ball will face his brother LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets as part of the NBA’s Rivalry Week in 2025-26. After the Cavs’ season opener on October 23, the Balls brothers’ Cavs and Hornets matchup will be featured amid a four-day doubleheader starting on January 20 and ending with a tripleheader on January 24. The New York Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers.
Then, the Golden State Warriors will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks, which will be headlined by Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. LaMelo Ball and the Hornets will host Lonzo and the Cavs on January 21 amid Rivalry Week.
NBA Rivals Week: Jan. 20-24: Spurs at Rockets – Jan. 20 Lakers at Nuggets – Jan. 20 Cavs at Hornets – Jan. 21 Thunder at Bucks – Jan. 21 Warriors at Mavs – Jan. 22 Lakers at Clippers – Jan. 22 Rockets at Pistons – Jan. 23 Pacers at Thunder – Jan. 23 Knicks at 76ers – Jan. 24 Warriors at Timberwolves – Jan. 24 Lakers at Mavericks – Jan. 24.
The Cavs acquired Ball in exchange for Isaac Okoro from the Chicago Bulls. In another injury-riddled season for the veteran guard, Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35 games last season. After undergoing a meniscus and cartilage transplant in his left knee in 2023, Ball suffered a right wrist sprain.
However, Ball is confident that 2025-26 will be his bounce-back season after playing in only 70 games thoughout the past two seasons, per NBA.com.
“I think it’s a great situation for my play style,” Ball said. “[Donovan Mitchell] is one of the best players we have in the league. And they have two bigs that are mobile, can set pick-and-rolls and get to the rim like that. And then do some switching on defense. I think we can do a lot of different things on both sides of the ball, and to have the option to be able to do those things is great.”
Lonzo Ball’s Cavs workout management schedule revealed
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Cavs veteran Lonzo Ball will have a unique management schedule next season. Due to his injury history, the Cavs will tread lightly with Ball, in hopes of having him available amid a potential deep playoff run.
Ball will not be playing on back-to-backs, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor revealed via the Wine and Gold Podcast.
“I know that the Cavs are having conversations as an organization about no back-to-backs for Lonzo Ball,” Fedor said. “If it’s three games in four nights, be cognizant of that when it comes to Lonzo. If it’s five in seven, be cognizant of that when it comes to Lonzo.”
The Cavs will have 13 back-to-backs throughout the 2025-26 regular season.
