The NBA’s 2022-23 schedule is here, and the league won’t waste any time delivering fans some star-studded showdowns.
Opening week is stacked, with the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 18 — the first night of the season — followed by the Los Angeles Lakers looking to spoil ring night for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
The following night features four teams with massive questions hovering over them. Zion Williamson is slated to return after an injured foot sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 campaign. His New Orleans Pelicans face the Brooklyn Nets, the league’s biggest newsmaker this summer.
Oct. 19 also features a rematch of the Western Conference semifinals between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. The last time these teams faced off, Dallas blitzed Phoenix in Game 7 to reach the West finals. Luka Doncic and the Mavs will showcase a retooled backcourt after free agent Jalen Brunson signed with the New York Knicks last month.
And those are just the first two nights! Throughout the season, there will be plenty more playoff rematches, reunion games, rookie showdowns and battles that could help decide the race for MVP.
Here are the games we can’t wait to see in 2022-23.
Note: This list of games does not include the NBA’s five Christmas Day games, which are previewed here.
Grand opening: Star-studded first-week matchups
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT
In the first game of the 2022-23 season, we’ll get the first look at the Celtics on the heels of their Finals loss to the Warriors. But the Celtics added plenty of depth this offseason in Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari, so opening night could be an indication of where Boston will pick up. They’ll be facing the 76ers, who are looking to start the year with the group they put together mid-season, headlined by Joel Embiid and James Harden. — Kendra Andrews
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Oct. 18, 10 p.m. ET | TNT
The Warriors’ championship run last season was many things, one of the most important being the polite shutdown of any suggestions that the Golden State dynasty was finished. The ring ceremony on opening night will be the final celebration of that statement. And it will be done in front of LeBron James — a staple during the Warriors’ dynastic run. — Andrews
New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets
Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Zion Williamson is one of the most highly anticipated returning players…
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