When Does the 2022 NBA Season Start? Key Dates and Schedule Details
I still remember that electric feeling walking into the arena for the first preseason game last October—the smell of fresh hardwood, the squeak of sneakers during warmups, and that moment when the lights dim before player introductions. That same rookie excitement Gray described when discussing his debut resonates deeply with me. "To be honest, I really blacked out when I was out there for the first few minutes so that was all God for sure," Gray recalled about his initial NBA minutes. "He just guided me through that first few minutes on the floor and once I hit that first shot and it went in, heard my name, say three ball and just felt really good to be out there." That raw emotion is exactly what makes the start of every NBA season magical, and with the 2022-23 season approaching, I can't help but feel that familiar anticipation building.
Mark your calendars for October 18, 2022—that's when the regular season tips off with a doubleheader featuring the defending champion Golden State Warriors hosting LeBron James and the Lakers, followed by Joel Embiid's 76ers visiting Boston in what promises to be an explosive Eastern Conference showdown. Having followed the league's scheduling patterns for over a decade, I've noticed they love starting with these historic rivalries, and frankly, I'm here for it. The preseason actually begins much earlier, with training camps opening September 27th and the first exhibition games scheduled for September 30th. These dates matter more than casual fans might think—they're when teams establish their identity and rookies like Gray get those crucial first minutes that can define their entire season.
What many don't realize is how dramatically the schedule has evolved. Remember when seasons used to start in November? I actually prefer this earlier October start—it gives us more basketball during the football-dominated fall months and creates better rhythm leading into the Christmas Day games, which have become their own spectacular tradition. This year's Christmas slate features five games including the usual marquee matchups: Lakers vs Mavericks, Celtics vs Bucks, and my personal favorite, Grizzlies vs Warriors—a rivalry that's developed some real bite recently. The schedule makers definitely got this right, though I wish they'd include more small-market teams in these premium slots.
The All-Star break is scheduled for February 17-19 in Salt Lake City, which feels like an interesting choice—not exactly a traditional basketball hotbed, but I appreciate the NBA's efforts to grow the game in non-coastal markets. Last year's break provided exactly 8 days off for players, and I'd expect similar timing this season. Having attended three All-Star weekends myself, I can confirm they're as chaotic behind the scenes as they appear on television, but that mid-season celebration really helps combat the February drag that often affects team performance.
Speaking of the regular season, it will conclude on April 9, 2023, with the play-in tournament scheduled for April 11-14—a format I've grown to love despite initial skepticism. The playoffs then begin April 15th, and if last year's postseason taught us anything, it's that the extended rest between the regular season and playoffs matters tremendously for player health. The NBA Finals are projected to start June 1st, though this could shift by a day or two depending on television scheduling—something that always slightly frustrates me as a purist who believes competitive integrity should outweigh broadcast preferences.
From my perspective following league patterns, the 2022-23 schedule represents a return to normalcy after several COVID-disrupted seasons. The full 82-game slate without significant interruptions should provide the consistency players and coaches crave. Having spoken with several team executives anonymously, they particularly appreciate having the standard 3-4 days between games during most stretches rather than the brutal back-to-backs that dominated the pandemic seasons. Personally, I'm most excited about the international games returning—the NBA will schedule approximately 4-5 regular season games overseas this year, with Paris and Mexico City confirmed as hosts.
The beauty of the NBA calendar has always been its rhythm—the slow build from training camp through the early season, the marathon of January and February, the stretch run after All-Star break, and then the glorious two months of playoff basketball. As someone who's attended games in 22 different arenas, I can attest that each phase has its own unique energy. Those early October games have a hopeful, experimental feel, while March contests carry genuine urgency. And nothing compares to the atmosphere of a playoff game in May or June.
Reflecting on Gray's comments about his debut, I'm reminded why these dates matter beyond mere logistics. That "first shot" moment he described represents what every team and player chases from opening night through the finals. The 2022-23 schedule provides the canvas for these moments—from the first tip-off on October 18th through what promises to be an unforgettable finals next June. As both an analyst and fan, I'm particularly bullish on this season's timeline—it feels balanced, player-friendly, and packed with compelling storylines. The league office has clearly learned from the challenges of recent years, delivering a schedule that honors tradition while adapting to modern demands. Now we just have to count down the days until that first jump ball.
