Twelve of the league's 13 teams are in action to kick things off, with just newly promoted Bristol Hurricanes sitting out the opening weekend.
We take a look at all the weekend's action below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.
Last season's league runners up Essex receive a visit from newly promoted Milton Keynes Breakers on Satutrday.
The Rebels came within a whisker of their first regular-season title in 2023/24, losing out to eventual winners Derby Trailblazers by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker once the two teams finished tied on 40 points.
That form didn't translate to the playoffs, where the Rebels were beaten in opening round by Bradford, and Coach Norfolk's side were also unable to progress from Group 2 in this year's KitKing Trophy.
That said, Essex did go 2-1 in group play, dipping out once again via a tiebreaker with Hemel and Thames Valley, so these are fine margins that the Rebels are battling against.
Essex suffered just a single defeat (to eventual champs Derby) in the first half of the 2023/24 season. They'd love to set another platform like that in 2024/25, but it'll be a tough ask to start that trend against the Breakers.
At 3-0 in the KitKing group stage and quarter-final winners against Bradford last time out, MK look built for sustained D1M success and will have a chance to prove just that this weekend against a highly respected opponent.
Adrian Scarborough already looks like the real deal after the import sealed Player of the Week and Team of the Week honours in the early going, and the core of the MK roster is battle tested at this level following a historic run to the NBL National Cup in 2023/24.
Look for MK to try and land a statement win this weekend in what should be an exciting match-up.
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Two teams who made the playoffs a year ago at 14-10 open their seasons against one another tomorrow as Newcastle University take a trip down to Loughborough Riders.
Both would no doubt enjoy similar success this campaign, but only one will be able to start out with a win.
Nottingham Hoods have a home tie with a Worthing Thunder side looking for significant improvement in 2024/25.
New head coach Brian Deacon will be focusing on an entertaining brand of team basketball as he looks to move the Thunder on from last year's 7-17 record, but that won't be easy against a Hoods team with plenty to prove to new head coach Vladan Dragosavac.
Defending playoff champs Hemel Storm are at home to Bradford Dragons, and both teams were in action last weekend's in the KitKing quarter-finals.
Storm were able to advance after their win over Loughborough, whilst the Dragons fell against Milton Keynes.
Both have enjoyed some solid form in the early going, especially Hemel's reigning Player of the Week Sam Newman, making tomorrow's match up a good one.
Saturday closes with Thames Valley's trip to Reading. The game is a repeat of last weekend's KitKing quarter-final clash, where the Rockets triumphed 98-90 behind 29 points from Team of the Week pick Mitch Clarke.
Both teams are sure to have some adjustments ready for round two, but which side will prevail remains to be seen.
Sunday's only clash sees Derby begin their regular-season title defence as they welcome City of Birmingham Rockets.
The Rockets started brightly a year ago before injuries derailed those plans into a ninth place finish. Now fully healthy, an opening contest against a DTB side that went unbeaten in four KitKing Trophy games and sent not one but two players to the most recent Team of the Week is a tough ask for any side.
6pm - Loughborough Riders vs Newcastle University - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM (TBC)
6:30pm - Essex Rebels vs Milton Keynes Breakers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6:30pm - Nottingham Hoods vs Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM (TBC)
7pm - Hemel Storm vs Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM
7:45pm - Reading Rockets vs Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM (TBC)
4pm - Derby Trailblazers vs City of Birmingham Rockets - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
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Main image credit - Ivan Grotsev
