The 2022-23 NBA season ended on a historic note, with the Nuggets winning their first-ever championship.
Now, Denver will look to defend its title.
There will be no shortage of contenders in the 2023-24 NBA season. The likes of the Heat, Bucks, Celtics, Warriors, Lakers and Suns remain in the hunt while up-and-coming teams such as the Kings, Knicks and Cavaliers look to join the race following their success last season.
There’s still business to be taken care of that could shift the championship odds, headlined by the futures of Damian Lillard and James Harden, two stars who have requested a trade.
All of the action gets underway at the end of October when the season tips off with a star-studded opening night.
MORE: The In-Season Tournament games you won’t want to miss
When does the NBA season start for 2023-24?
- Date: Oct. 24, 2023
The first games of the 2023-24 NBA season will be played on Oct. 24, 2023.
Two games will be played on opening night. The Athletic’s Shams Charania broke the news before the schedule was released in full that the Lakers will face the Nuggets while the Suns host the Warriors.
It’s not a surprise the NBA went that route considering the history involved. The Lakers and Nuggets faced each other in last season’s Western Conference Finals. Led by Nikola Jokic, who averaged 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds and 11.8 assists in the series, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers in four games to advance to the NBA Finals where they won the franchise’s first championship.
The other game will be a return to Golden State for Suns star Kevin Durant, who won two championships as a member of the Warriors. It will be the first opportunity to see the new-look Suns in action. Not only have the Suns made a coaching change, but trading for Bradley Beal was one of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason.
It will also be the first time Chris Paul, who was involved in the Beal trade, suits up for the Warriors.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF the first month, effective immediately. Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) are starting at just $20 for the first month. Sling Orange + Blue is starting at $27.50 for the first month.
You can sign up for Sling TV here.
Key dates for 2023-24 NBA season
- Sept. 27: Training camp opens for teams participating in preseason games outside of North America
- Oct. 3: Training camp opens for remaining teams
- Oct. 5: Start of preseason
- Oct. 20: End of preseason
- Oct. 24: Start of 2023-24 regular season
- Nov. 3: NBA In-Season Tournament begins
- Dec. 7: NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals
- Dec. 9: NBA In-Season Tournament Finals
- Feb. 16-18: NBA All-Star Weekend 2024
- April 14: 2023-24 regular season ends