When does the NBA season start 2019-20? Opening Night schedule, first game for each team

Jordan Greer

When does the NBA season start 2019-20? Opening Night schedule, first game for each team image

Stay calm, basketball fans. Another NBA season is right around the corner. 

After a summer full of major signings and blockbuster trades, NBA general managers have their rosters set, and the championship chase is wide open. The Warriors didn't suddenly disappear, but they aren't expected to continue their dominance over the rest of the league following a run of three titles in five years.

If you're wondering when the regular season officially starts — and more importantly, when your favorite team plays its first game — we've got you covered. Here is the schedule breakdown for the first few days of the 2019-20 NBA season.

NBA PREDICTIONS 2019-20: SN's Finals picks | Award winners

When does the NBA season start?

The 2019-20 campaign will tip off Tuesday, Oct. 22 on TNT with marquee matchups featuring the Pelicans, Raptors, Lakers and Clippers. No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will make his regular-season debut against the defending champs in the early game (8 p.m. ET), and the Clippers' new dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will challenge Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the battle for Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. ET).

UPDATE: George will miss the opener as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgeries. The six-time All-Star is targeting a November return. Williamson is also out after undergoing knee surgery. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

That's just a teaser for Wednesday's slate, which features 11 games, including Celtics vs. 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET) and Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET) on ESPN. The Hawks, Bucks, Rockets and Warriors will play their regular-season openers Thursday night. Golden State will face the Clippers in the first regular-season game at the new Chase Center.

NBA schedule for 2019-20

Tuesday, Oct. 22 (Opening Night)

Time Teams Location National TV
8 p.m. ET Pelicans vs. Raptors Scotiabank Arena TNT
10:30 p.m. ET Lakers vs. Clippers Staples Center TNT

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Time Teams Location National TV
7 p.m. ET Bulls vs. Hornets Spectrum Center
7 p.m. ET Pistons vs. Pacers Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7 p.m. ET Cavaliers vs. Magic Amway Center
7:30 p.m. ET Celtics vs. 76ers Wells Fargo Center ESPN
7:30 p.m. ET Grizzlies vs. Heat American Airlines Arena
7:30 p.m. ET Timberwolves vs. Nets Barclays Center
8:30 p.m. ET Wizards vs. Mavericks American Airlines Center
8:30 p.m. ET Knicks vs. Spurs AT&T Center
9 p.m. ET Thunder vs. Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena
10 p.m. ET Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Moda Center ESPN
10 p.m. ET Kings vs. Suns Talking Stick Resort Arena

Thursday, Oct. 24

Time Teams Location National TV
7 p.m. ET Hawks vs. Pistons Little Caesars Arena
8 p.m. ET Bucks vs. Rockets Toyota Center TNT
10:30 p.m. ET Clippers vs. Warriors Chase Center TNT

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.