The Denver Nuggets season schedule it out. Here are the can't-miss games.

Don't get it twisted: Despite an early playoff exit last season , the Denver Nuggets remain legitimate title contenders.

The big picture: The NBA released the upcoming season schedules on Thursday, and if you can't get to Ball Arena to watch the reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and company, you'll have plenty of chances to catch them for nationally televised games .

Zoom in: The Nuggets start their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 24 at Ball Arena.

• The game will likely be off-season signing Russell Westbrook's debut with the Nuggets, against the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2008.

Zoom out: Here are five games you definitely shouldn't miss this season:

• At Minnesota Timberwolves (Nov. 1). It's simple: Revenge early in the season over the team that eliminated the Nuggets last season would be sweet.
• Dallas Mavericks (Nov. 10). The team faces superstar Luka Dončić , who will attempt to lead Dallas for Western Conference supremacy as he looks to dethrone Jokić as league MVP.
• At Phoenix Suns (Dec. 25). Christmas Day hoops will pit Denver against a Phoenix team featuring two Olympic gold medalists and All-Stars, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
• Boston Celtics (Jan. 7) . The Nuggets will host the defending NBA champions.
• Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 22). The nationally televised game against the Western Conference rivals will bring LeBron James to Denver — where he hasn't won in a while .