After a slow leak of initial games, the full NBA schedule for the 2022-23 season was released on Wednesday afternoon. NBA teams will return to action on Oct. 18 with the 76ers, Celtics, Lakers and Warriors participating in a TNT doubleheader.
Now, let's go through the other 1,228 games in the NBA season — or at least some of the more interesting notes from Wednesday's release.
MORE: Ranking 10 best games on NBA calendar
NBA schedule 2022 winners
Rivalries
For some, the NBA is all about the drama. If you're one of those people, then there are plenty of early games to help scratch that itch.
The feud between Paolo Banchero and Dejounte Murray during a Seattle pro-am game made headlines this summer. The two took their battle to social media, and it will move to the hardwood on Oct. 21 in Orlando.
MORE: Banchero, Murray exchange words after viral dunk
The Lakers and Clippers will also get a chance to face off early, playing on Oct. 20 at Crypto.com Arena.
The rivalry between Ben Simmons and the entire city of Philadelphia will be broadcast on TNT on Nov. 22. If Simmons plays, it will be his first time going against his former teammates since holding out and getting traded. James Harden will go back to Brooklyn on Feb. 11.
The league has also created an NBA Rivals Week starting on Jan. 23 with 11 nationally televised games, including Celtics vs. Heat, Clippers vs. Lakers, Mavericks vs. Suns, Knicks vs. Nets and Lakers vs. Celtics.
Voting
The NBA will play no games on Nov. 8. That date was kept clear to encourage voting in U.S. elections.
All 30 teams will play the day before in themed "civic engagement nights," as first reported by Shaquille Brewster of NBC News.
MORE: Election Day signals league initiative to promote civic engagement
Small market teams
For some teams, national NBA games are no big deal. But for a lot of the smaller markets, it's a legitimate sign of disrespect that they are rarely featured.
Kudos to the league for working toward rectifying that problem with its Christmas slate. The Grizzlies will be featured for the first time in their history, playing at Golden State.
oh we got tv games this season 🥹🤣 https://t.co/sdf3E5Mguc
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 17, 2022
The Nuggets were snubbed last year, but they'll host the Suns this time around. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic needs to be exposed to more casual viewers, and there's no better time than Christmas to do it.
The Pelicans won't play on Christmas, but they did get 11 games on TNT and ESPN. They're a fun team on the rise, and Zion Williamson will get a chance to remind everyone why he was an All-Star in his last healthy season.
Circle Nov. 15 on your calendar. That's when Williamson will face off against Ja Morant on TNT.
Pistons
The Pistons and Bulls are slated to play in Paris on Jan. 19. That's particularly good news for the Pistons, who are expected to be a bottom-four team next season and will be in prime position for the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
They'll get an excellent chance to scout the French prodigy in person.
The #TNTBulls
The Bulls have one of the most truly bizarre active winning streaks in the league. They've won 20 straight regular season home games that have been televised on TNT, dating back to early 2013.
There have been some amazing games during that stretch, as the Bulls have defeated dynastic Heat and Warriors teams as sizable underdogs. The streak has led to the creation of the hashtag #TNTBulls on Twitter.
The #TNTBulls haven't had a chance to extend that streak since 2017, mostly because of a stretch of lean rebuilding years. They will finally get a chance to win No. 21 when they face the Bucks on Feb. 16 this season.
Fans in the United States can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange or Blue for $35/month, or both for $50/month. Right now, get half off your first month, plus SHOWTIME, STARZ AND EPIX — first month on us!
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NBA schedule 2022 losers
Hornets
The Hornets and Grizzlies were the only franchises that had never played on Christmas Day. With the Grizzlies scheduled this year, the Hornets remain the only team to never get the prestigious invite.
Christmas Day competition
Christmas has been the NBA's day for a long time. But the NBA will be competing with the NFL this year, which is a tough battle to win. You can take a nice breather from debating politics to fight over the remote control with your relatives this year.
MORE: NBA, NFL schedules for Christmas Day
Jazz
With Rudy Gobert gone and Donovan Mitchell firmly in "The Deal Zone," we all know that this won't be the same winning Jazz team as last year. So, when it comes to national TV games...
Full Jazz schedule here:https://t.co/L02XFTpEdl
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) August 17, 2022
Zero ESPN games.
Zero ABC games.
1 TNT game.
3 NBATV games.
Wow.
Their lone nationally-televised game is at home against the Knicks on Nov. 15, which could be a possible reunion if Mitchell is sent to New York.
Rockets
The Rockets aren't expected to win a ton of games this year. Their start out of the gate will make things even tougher.
They have one of the most road-heavy starts in NBA history.
#Rockets Schedule
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) August 17, 2022
Ten of Houston’s first 13 games will be on the road, including two four-game trips. That ties for the most road games by any team through the first 13 games of a season in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/qEiCxdTCiE
