When is the first NBA regular season game? Play to begin in just a few days
It's tipoff time for NBA fans.
The NBA season officially starts Tuesday, Oct. 24, and ends Sunday, April 14. The play-in tournament for those teams on the bubble starts April 16 and the postseason begins April 20. Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is set for Thursday, June 6.
Here's a look at the upcoming schedule, and when games start.
When is the first NBA regular season game?
The NBA will mark the start of the 2023-24 season with five days of 10 nationally televised games featuring 14 different teams.
And no neither the Cleveland Cavaliers nor the Indiana Pacers made the cut for national eyes.
Opening night is Tuesday, Oct. 24, and will feature a doubleheader on TNT.
Defending champion Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Lakes (a rematch of the Western Conference Finals) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The second game will feature the Phoenix Suns at the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m.
The nationally televised games switch to ESPN on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with another doubleheader, as the Boston Celtics visit the New York Knicks at 7 p.m., and the San Antonio Spurs host the Dallas Mavericks in the second game at 9:30 p.m.
The Thursday, Oct. 26, doubleheader on TNT will feature the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. and the Suns playing the Lakers at 10 p.m.
ESPN's national games Friday, Oct. 27, feature another doubleheader, with the Miami Heat playing the Celtics in Boston at 7:30 p.m. and the Warriors against the Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m.
NBA TV will also air national games Saturday, Oct. 28, as the Knicks play the New Orleans Pelicans at 7 p.m. and the Suns host the Utah Jazz at 10 p.m.
When is the first Cleveland Cavaliers game?
The Cavaliers start their season on the road at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Cavs' home opener is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The team will host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, Oct. 28.
When is the first Indiana Pacers game?
The Indiana Pacers start the season at home at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, against the Washington Wizards.
The team's second game of the season is Saturday, Oct. 28, on the road in Cleveland.
Where can I watch NBA games?
Watching an NBA game at home or discretely at work can be a bit of a challenge.
Most NBA teams have a regional sports network that airs games, as in the case of the Cavs, who have Bally Sports Ohio.
Nationally televised games are on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.
All 30 teams in the league are scheduled to make at least one appearance on either TNT or ESPN this season.
Why are there no NBA games on Election Day?
For the second year in a row, the NBA has cleared its schedule to encourage folks to vote.
There will be no NBA games Tuesday, Nov. 7.
What NBA teams are playing on Christmas Day?
There will be five games on Christmas Day in the NBA.
The noon game on TNT will feature the Bucks and the Knicks in New York. Both ABC and ESPN will air the next two games, starting at 2:30 p.m. with the Warriors against the Nuggets, then the Lakers will host the Celtics at 5 p.m.
The final two games on Christmas Day will be on ESPN. The 76ers will play the Miami Heat at 8 p.m. and the Mavericks will play the Suns at 10:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: When is the first NBA regular season game for 2023-24?
