I still remember that electric feeling walking into the arena for the first preseason game last year—the smell of fresh hardwood, the squeak of sneakers during warmups, that unique blend of anticipation and nervous energy that fills the building. As someone who’s followed the NBA for over fifteen years, I’ve learned that nothing quite matches the excitement of a new season tipping off. The 2022-23 NBA season officially begins on October 18, 2022, with a doubleheader featuring the 76ers visiting the Celtics at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Lakers hosting the Warriors at 10:00 PM ET. These opening night matchups aren’t just random selections—they’re strategically chosen narratives that set the tone for the entire season.
Training camps opened on September 27th, giving teams exactly three weeks to prepare, though international players had already begun arriving earlier due to visa and quarantine protocols. The preseason schedule runs from September 30th through October 14th, with teams playing between four and six exhibition games. I’ve always found preseason fascinating because it’s where unexpected players emerge. Remember Jordan Poole’s development last preseason? That’s exactly the kind of progression coaches look for during these games. The league strategically scheduled 49 total preseason games this year, down from the typical 60-70 we saw pre-pandemic, indicating a continued cautious approach to player workload management.
What many casual fans don’t realize is how dramatically the calendar has shifted. Before the pandemic, seasons typically started in late October and ended in mid-June. Now we’re looking at an October 18 start with the Finals concluding by June 18 at the latest—assuming no COVID-related disruptions. This compressed timeline creates what I consider the most challenging scheduling environment I’ve witnessed in my years covering the league. Teams will play 82 games across approximately 170 days, compared to the 195-day span we saw in 2018-19. That’s 25 fewer recovery days spread across the same number of games, which inevitably leads to more back-to-backs and what I call “schedule losses”—games where teams are simply too fatigued to compete at their best.
The Christmas Day schedule remains the league’s crown jewel, with five games scheduled this year. I’ve got to say, the NBA absolutely nailed the matchups—Lakers vs Mavericks, 76ers vs Knicks, Celtics vs Bucks, Grizzlies vs Warriors, and Suns vs Nuggets. These aren’t just random pairings; they’re carefully curated to maximize storytelling. The Christmas games typically draw about 8-10 million viewers each, making them the most-watched regular season games by a significant margin. Personally, I think the league should consider adding a sixth Christmas game to showcase emerging teams like Cleveland or New Orleans, but tradition tends to prevail in these matters.
All-Star Weekend returns to its traditional February slot after pandemic disruptions, scheduled for February 17-19 in Salt Lake City. I’ve attended three All-Star weekends, and while the game itself has become increasingly defenseless, the Saturday night events—especially the dunk contest—remain must-watch television. The league has shortened the break to just six days this year compared to the usual seven, another subtle scheduling tweak that I worry might increase injury risk. Last season’s All-Star game drew 6.3 million viewers, down from the 7.3 million in 2020, but I’m optimistic the return to normal timing will boost those numbers.
The trade deadline falls on February 9th at 3 PM ET, about a week earlier than in recent seasons. This adjustment makes strategic sense—it gives teams more time to integrate new pieces before the playoff push. I’ve noticed contenders becoming more aggressive with mid-season acquisitions, with last season featuring 13 trades in the final 48 hours before the deadline. The play-in tournament returns with the same format—teams finishing 7th through 10th in each conference competing for the final two playoff spots. I was initially skeptical about this format, but it’s created meaningful basketball in what would otherwise be meaningless late-season games for borderline teams.
When Gray described his experience of blacking out during his first minutes on the court, saying “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,” it perfectly captures what many players experience during season openers. That combination of divine intervention and muscle memory speaks to the surreal nature of returning to competition at the highest level. I’ve spoken with numerous players who describe similar out-of-body experiences during season debuts, especially for rookies or players joining new teams.
The regular season concludes on April 9th, with the play-in tournament running from April 11th-14th. Playoffs begin April 15th, and if my predictions are correct, we could see the Finals starting June 1st. What’s particularly interesting this season is the reduced number of back-to-backs—each team averages 13.5 compared to the 14.5 we saw last season and the 16-18 that was common a decade ago. The league has clearly prioritized player health, though I’d argue they could be even more aggressive in reducing schedule density.
Having tracked NBA scheduling patterns for over a decade, I appreciate the delicate balancing act between national television demands, arena availability, travel considerations, and player rest. This season’ schedule includes 108 national TV games across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, with the Warriors and Lakers leading with 26 and 25 appearances respectively. Meanwhile, small-market teams like Indiana and Oklahoma City only have 5 and 3 national appearances. I understand the business rationale, but this disparity sometimes creates competitive advantages for less-scrutinized teams.
The reality is that no schedule survives first contact with the season intact. COVID protocols, unexpected injuries, and weather disruptions will inevitably force adjustments. But there’s something beautifully optimistic about the release of the full schedule—it represents 1,230 opportunities for drama, heroics, and the kind of basketball magic that Gray described. Whether you’re a player experiencing those first surreal minutes or a fan marking your calendar for must-see matchups, the countdown to October 18th represents the start of another chapter in the league’s evolving story. And if last season taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.