Opening week of the NBA's historic 75th season continues on Day 4 with another marquee matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. This is the second game of the regular season for both teams as each comes into this one with contrasting results in their respective season openers.
The 76ers, who were missing All-Star Ben Simmons after they suspended him, took care of business in New Orleans with a 117-97 victory. On the other hand, the Nets - who suited up without Kyrie Irving after they ruled him out - lost by a blowout 23-point margin on ring night to the defending champions - the Milwaukee Bucks.
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This contest will be the first real test for Philadelphia, who suspended Simmons for 'conduct detrimental to the team' during practice on Tuesday. With that suspension served, Simmons could be available for this game but will the team put him out on the court?
Having not participated in a single preseason game, barring the team, nobody has an idea on the Australian's physical conditioning.
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Unlike Simmons, the Kyrie Irving situation is far more clear for the Nets. The 29-year-old point guard would not be available on a partial basis, the team announced earlier, which rules him out of this game and every contest going forward unless he is eligible once again.
For that, the former NBA Champion would need to abide by New York City's vaccine mandate and get at least one shot of it.
What channel is 76ers vs. Nets on?
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: Watch ESPN | fuboTV
76ers vs. Nets can be watched on ESPN for those with traditional cable or streamed via Watch ESPN. The game can also be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial.
What time does 76ers vs. Nets start?
Date: Friday, Oct. 22
Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
76ers vs. Nets is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 22. The game will be played at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
76ers schedule
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 22 | vs. Nets | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Oct. 24 | at Thunder | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Oct. 26 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m | TNT |
| Oct. 28 | vs. Pistons | 7:00 p.m | NBA TV |
| Oct. 30 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m | NBA TV |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Trail Blazers | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Nov. 3 | vs. Bulls | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Nov. 4 | at Pistons | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Nov. 6 | at Bulls | 8:00 p.m | - |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Knicks | 7:00 p.m | - |
(All times Eastern)
Nets schedule
| Date | Game | Time | National TV |
| Oct. 22 | at Philadelphia | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Hornets | 4:00 p.m | - |
| Oct. 25 | vs. Wizards | 7:30 p.m | NBA TV |
| Oct. 27 | vs. Heat | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Oct. 29 | vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Pistons | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Nov. 3 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Nov. 5 | at Pistons | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Nov. 7 | at Raptors | 3:30 p.m | - |
| Nov. 8 | at Bulls | 8:00 p.m | NBA TV |
(All times Eastern)
NBA schedule for 2021-22
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA returns to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season. The above Opening Night matchup is the first of 12 marquee games of Opening Week of the NBA season.
The first four days of the season will feature eight national television games. Those games will showcase:
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 17, 2021
• 12 different teams
• The last eight players to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award
• Three rematches from last season’s playoffs. pic.twitter.com/B6ccuTTTb5
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Regular season begins: Oct. 19
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
