The NBA's 2022-23 schedule is here, and the league won't waste any time giving fans some star- studded showdowns.
The Boston Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers on the opening night of the NBA season, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
There are four teams with big questions. Zion is expected to return after missing the entire campaign due to an injury. The Nets are the biggest newsmaker this summer.
The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will play a second time in the playoffs. The last time these teams met, Dallas beat Phoenix in the playoffs. The retooled backcourt will be on display by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.
The first two nights are just the beginning. There will be a lot of games and battles throughout the season that could affect the race for the Most Valuable Player.
We cannot wait to see the games in 2022-23.
The NBA's five Christmas Day games are not included in this list.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
In the first game of the 2022-23 season, we will see the Celtics for the first time since their Finals loss. It's possible that opening night will be an indication of where the Celtics will go this season. The 76ers are looking to start the year with a group they put together in the middle of the season.
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Oct. 18, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
One of the most important aspects of the Warriors' championship run last season was the politeness of any suggestions that the dynasty was over. There will be a ring ceremony on opening night. During the Warriors' dynasty, it will be done in front of James.
New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets
Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Zion is one of the most anticipated returning players because of the mystique surrounding his health and his game. As the Pelicans look to take the next step in their development, what the former top pick can deliver becomes even more important. Is the Nets also? Brooklyn is a franchise with more questions than anything else. Ben Simmons is expected to return to NBA action after sitting out the entire season. Who will join him?
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
Oct. 19, 9 p.m. ET
After missing the last year and a half with a tornACL, Jamal Murray's return is what the Nuggets hope will take them from playoffs to title contender. There was a lot of talk about Murray joining the Nuggets for the playoffs, but he wasn't ready physically or mentally. Michael Porter Jr.'s return will be the support that the reigning two-time Most Valuable Player needs.
Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns
Oct. 19, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
The stench from the Suns' Game 7 humiliation could linger in the desert for a while. Chris Paul and the rest of the Clippers will get a chance to avenge their loss to the Mavericks when they host them in the season opener.
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
The last piece of the puzzle was P.J. Tucker. Tucker joined James Harden in Philadelphia and the 76ers are hoping he has the same effect. Tucker will serve as the primary defense against Antetokounmpo.
LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Oct. 20, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
A lot of players are coming back from injuries. The one who is expected to vault the Clippers into title contention is the one who is coming off a knee surgery. The Clippers' opener against the Lakers will give the first glimpse of Leonard.
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
The Miami front office is believed to believe that a significant roster upgrade is required to get out of the Eastern Conference. The Heat took the Celtics to seven games in the East finals despite Kyle and Tyler being hampered by injuries.
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
This will be one of the most emotional games on the entire schedule since the Philly fans directed profanity-laden chants at Ben Simmons last year, even though the new Net was just sitting on the bench and ended up not even playing all season. The chance for Irving and Harden to go against each other again isunderappreciated.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz
Dec. 9, 9 p.m. ET
There are going to be a lot of thank you signs in Salt Lake City. Thanks to Gobert for becoming one of the best defensive big men in the game over the course of nine seasons, and thanks to the Wolves for giving up five first-round picks.
New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks
Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m. ET
It will be great to see the two former teammates.
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
Feb. 23, 7 p.m. ET
The Pacers will miss the stability he brought to the floor when he was healthy enough to play, even though he doesn't have long ties to the city. The Celtics need him to be one of the missing pieces in order to win their first title in six years.
Atlanta Hawks at San Antonio Spurs
March 19, 4 p.m. ET
The deal from the Hawks that included three future first-round picks and a pick swap was too good for the Spurs to pass up. The Hawks are hoping Murray will complement Trae Young in a similar way.
Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
The Mavs didn't make the West finals much of a series, but there's always a chance for a great game when Doncic and Curry meet. The superstars scored 99 points in a home win for the Mavs in February of 2021.
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC
Marcus Smart might have the most to prove against the Warriors after Stephen Curry shredded the Celtics' defense in the finals. Boston will play Golden State on January 19th.
Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers
Dec. 14, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
Patrick Beverley, the ex-Clipper who got so much glee from playing a role in his former team's premature exit, was traded to Utah. The presence of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard makes LA a much more dangerous foe than the team the Wolves bounced.
Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers
Oct. 23, 10 p.m. ET | NBA TV
Without Leonard, the Clippers might have been able to beat the Suns and make it to the NBA finals. The Clippers have passed the Suns as West favorites as both teams are at full strength.
LA Clippers at Golden State Warriors
Nov. 23, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
Who are you going to get? The Warriors or the Clippers are going for the first title in franchise history. Coming into the 2022-23 season, these two teams are on everyone's short list of potential champion, and this could prove to be a preview of an epic playoff clash.
Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks
Dec 2, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
There is a revenge game going on. Fans get a glimpse of the past, present and future of the game when the two superstars share the court. On February 9th, L.A. will host Milwaukee.
Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
In the three games that he has played in Cleveland since joining the Lakers, he has averaged 38.7 points, 10.8 rebound and 8.3 assists. There are only a few games left for James in The Land and this is a must-see.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 13, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
Let the race begin. The Lakers and Celtics are tied at 17 in the franchise title count, despite the Celtics going up 2-1 on the Warriors in the finals. On January 28, the Boston Celtics host the L.A. Lakers in a game that could see King James move into second place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers
Jan. 20, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN
"That's your last time disrespecting me, that's the last time I'm going to disrespect you," said James when the Lakers and Grizzlies played last season. If there is any disrespect left in the tank, it will be determined by another regular season.
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
Oct. 19, 7 p.m. ET
The NBA will have the last two picks. Paolo Banchero won't defend Detroit guard Cade Cunningham but he will match up at times with recent Pistons first-round picks.
Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks
Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Smith will return to Georgia to start his NBA career. Smith grew up in Atlanta and went to college in the nearby state of Alabama. Friends and family should be in attendance as he plays John Collins.
Oklahoma City at Minnesota Timberwolves
Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET
Rudy Gobert and Karl- Anthony Towns are two of the NBA's best frontcourts, and it will be interesting to see how the new coach handles the challenge. We will get a clue as to whether Oklahoma City wants to defend on the perimeter or in the paint.
Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks
Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
Seattle native Dejounte Murray had an NBA rivalry with Banchero before he joined the NBA. After Murray showed up in the tournament, they exchanged words on social media. They will be meeting for the first time in a long time.
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder
Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
At the NBA summer league in Las Vegas, we missed out on a Banchero-Holmgren match because the other team shut down the other team. This will be the first time we'll see them since they beat Duke.
Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic
Nov. 7, 7:15 p.m. ET
Everyone seems happy with the pick of Paolo Banchero, who was taken by the Magic instead of the one who was taken by the Astros. There will be more juice when they face each other for the first time.
Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks
Nov. 27, 8 p.m. ET | NBA TV
Milwaukee's Antetokounmpo and Dallas' Doncic are two of the favorites to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. The Mavs' win in Milwaukee in April, when Doncic had a season-high 15 assists, gave a strong hint that Dallas was capable of a deep playoff run. Dallas plays Milwaukee on December 9th.
Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks
Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
When the last two championship teams meet, the Curry vs. Holiday match up is an interesting one. Curry has scored 26.0 points in 22 games against Holiday, but the Warriors have won 16 of them. Warriors host Milwaukee on March 11 on ABC.
Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks
Jan. 25, 8 p.m. ET
There is a good reason to pay attention to a regular season meeting between small-market teams. The Bucks won the title in 2020. The Nuggets have a chance to win the title if Murray and Porter are healthy. On March 25, Denver plays Milwaukee.
Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 28, 3 p.m. ET | ABC
Think about it, if you think about it, this one is on his calendar. After finishing as the runner-up to Denver's Jokic in the past two seasons, you can be sure that the 76ers' big man will come into this game with a lot of motivation. Over the last two seasons, the Nuggets won the only head-to-head clash between the superstars. Denver plays Philadelphia on March 27.
The Atlantic includes: BoS, BKN, NYK, and PHI.
Central: CHI | CLE | DET | IND | MIL
Southeast: ATL | CHA | MIA | ORL | WAS
Pacific: GS | LAC | LAL | PHX | SAC
Southwest: DAL | HOU | MEM | NO | SA
Northwest: DEN | MIN | OKC | POR | UTAH
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