What we know about 2022-23 NBA schedule: Opening night, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day games

We’re inching closer to the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, and with that comes the official release of the regular-season schedule, which will be unveiled in its entirety on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, according to the league. Though we don’t yet have the full schedule, we do already know many of the marquee matchups reportedly set for the upcoming season, including the games that will take place on opening night (Oct. 18), Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Here’s a look at what we know about the 2022-23 schedule so far:

Opening night — Oct. 18

Opening night will feature both of the teams that played in the NBA Finals last season. In one game, the reigning champion Golden State Warriors will host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. These two teams also played on opening night last season, but that game was in L.A. This time, it will take place in San Francisco. Prior to tipoff, the Warriors will receive their championship rings from last season. In the other game, the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers. This game could potentially serve as a conference finals preview as both teams appear poised to make a deep playoff run following some solid offseason additions. 

Election Day — Nov. 8 

The NBA announced that this season no games will be played on Election Day, which is set for Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Per the league, the decision not to have any games on Election Day came out of the league’s focus on promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during the midterm elections. The league has typically scheduled games on Election Day in the past, so this decision is a novel one. 

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