Tunisia World Cup
I still remember that electric moment when the Golden State Warriors returned to championship glory last June, confetti raining down as Stephen Curry lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy. That championship feeling is exactly what every NBA team will be chasing when the 2022-23 season tips off on October 18, 2022. As someone who's followed the league for over fifteen years, I've learned that understanding the schedule isn't just about marking dates—it's about anticipating the narratives that will define the coming months. The league office finally revealed the full 82-game schedule, and I've spent considerable time analyzing its twists and turns.
The opening night will feature a doubleheader on TNT that sets the stage perfectly. The Philadelphia 76ers will visit the Boston Celtics at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the defending champion Golden State Warriors at 10:00 PM ET. These matchups aren't random—they're carefully crafted dramas. The Celtics-76ers rivalry has become one of the league's most intense, while Lakers-Warriors represents the clash between legacy and modern dynasty. I particularly love how the schedule makers positioned this Lakers-Warriors game, creating immediate stakes for both franchises. The Warriors will receive their championship rings that night, and something tells me Steph Curry will relish performing that ceremony right in front of LeBron James.
Christmas Day brings its traditional quintuple-header, and this year's slate looks particularly strong. It begins with the 76ers at the Knicks at noon ET, followed by Lakers at Mavericks, Bucks at Celtics, Grizzlies at Warriors, and Suns at Nuggets. The NBA has clearly prioritized emerging rivalries here—Ja Morant's Grizzlies against the veteran Warriors should be spectacular television. I've noticed the league scheduling more young superstars on Christmas, which speaks to the changing landscape. Personally, I'm most excited for Bucks-Celtics—that playoff series last season was absolutely brutal, and these teams genuinely don't like each other.
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 19, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This marks a return to traditional conference format after several years of the captain-selection system, which I have mixed feelings about. While the captain format created some memorable moments, there's something pure about East versus West that appeals to traditionalists like myself. The All-Star break typically falls in mid-February, giving players about a week off. From my observations, this mid-season pause comes at the perfect time—just when the grind of the 82-game schedule starts taking its heaviest toll.
Speaking of the schedule grind, teams will play 82 games over approximately 170 days, a significant improvement from the compressed schedules we saw during the pandemic years. The league has clearly listened to player concerns about back-to-backs and unnecessary travel. I've counted an average of 13.5 back-to-back sets per team, down from nearly 20 several seasons ago. This is progress, though I'd like to see that number drop below 10 in future seasons. Player health should always be the priority—we saw how injuries derailed what could have been an incredible playoff run for the Clippers last season.
The regular season concludes on April 9, 2023, followed by the Play-In Tournament from April 11-14. The actual NBA Playoffs will begin on April 15, 2023. I have to admit—I'm a huge fan of the Play-In Tournament. It keeps more teams competitive deeper into the season and creates must-win scenarios that feel like playoff games. Last year's tournament gave us incredible moments, like the Timberwolves' dramatic play-in victory. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 1, 2023, which feels appropriately spaced from the playoff start. Last season's playoffs stretched nearly two months, and while I love basketball, that might be slightly too long—the casual fan's attention can wander.
When I think about what makes a great NBA season, it's not just the marquee dates—it's the unexpected moments that become legendary. Take Andrew Wiggins in last year's Finals, or the emergence of Jordan Poole. Which reminds me of a quote from a player that perfectly captures those breakthrough moments. After a particularly impressive performance, a young player said, "To be honest, I really blacked out when I was out there for the first few minutes so that was all God for sure. He just guided me through that first few minutes on the floor and once I hit that first shot and it went in, heard my name, say three ball and just felt really good to be out there." That raw, unfiltered emotion is what we're all watching for—those moments when preparation meets opportunity on the biggest stage.
The NBA has scheduled several intriguing international games too, with the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons playing in Paris on January 19, 2023. International growth remains a priority, though I sometimes worry about the travel impact on teams. Still, globalizing the game ultimately strengthens the league. There's also the Mexico City game between the Heat and Spurs on December 17, 2022—another smart choice given the Spurs' international appeal and the Heat's passionate fanbase.
As I look at the complete schedule, what strikes me most is the balance between tradition and innovation. The NBA maintains its cornerstone events—Christmas Day, All-Star Weekend, the playoff structure—while continuously adapting to player needs and fan engagement. The 2022-23 season promises another thrilling chapter in league history, from that opening tip on October 18 through what will hopefully be a competitive Finals in June. The schedule sets the stage, but it's the players and their moments that create the magic. I'm already counting down the days until that first jump ball.
