I remember sitting in my living room last October, surrounded by basketball statistics and schedule printouts, feeling that familiar buzz of anticipation that only comes with the start of a new NBA season. The 2022-23 NBA season officially tipped off on October 18, 2022, with a double-header that featured the Golden State Warriors receiving their championship rings before facing the Lakers, followed by Philadelphia taking on Boston. That opening night felt particularly special because it marked the return of basketball after what felt like an unusually short offseason - just about three months since the Warriors lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy.
The preseason actually began even earlier, with training camps opening on September 27th and exhibition games running from September 30th through October 14th. I always find these preseason games fascinating - they're like previews of what's to come, though we have to remember they don't count in the standings. Teams use these games to experiment with lineups and rotations, while veterans shake off rust and rookies get their first taste of NBA action. Speaking of rookies, I can't help but think about players like Chet Holmgren, whose season-ending injury during a pro-am game last summer reminded us how fragile these opportunities can be.
The regular season schedule followed the familiar 82-game format, running through April 9, 2023. What many casual fans might not realize is how meticulously crafted this schedule is - the NBA has to account for arena availability, travel logistics, and television broadcast requirements across multiple time zones. This season introduced what the league called "minimally invasive load management," strategically placing back-to-back games to reduce player fatigue. As someone who's followed the league for over two decades, I've noticed how the schedule has evolved to better protect player health while maintaining the competitive integrity of those 82 games.
Now, let me share something personal here - I've always had a soft spot for watching rookies adapt to the NBA pace. There's something magical about witnessing those first moments when a player finds their rhythm in the big league. It reminds me of what Jonquel Jones said after her impressive return: "To be honest, I really blacked out when I was out there for the first few minutes so that was all God for sure. 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, that transition from nervousness to confidence - it's what makes early season basketball so compelling to watch.
The mid-season calendar included several key dates that I always mark in my basketball-watching planner. The NBA's annual Christmas Day games on December 25th featured five matchups, a tradition that has become as much a part of the holiday as eggnog and family dinners. Then came the much-anticipated NBA Trade Deadline on February 9, 2023, which saw several significant moves that reshaped playoff pictures. The All-Star break in Salt Lake City ran from February 17-19, giving us that delightful mix of skills competitions, celebrity games, and the main event itself.
From my perspective as both a fan and analyst, the period following the All-Star break is where championship contenders truly separate themselves from the pack. Teams have about two months to solidify their rotations and build momentum heading into the playoffs. The play-in tournament occurred from April 11-14, a relatively new addition that I've grown to appreciate despite initial skepticism. It keeps more teams engaged deeper into the season and creates thrilling do-or-die scenarios before the main playoff bracket is even set.
The playoffs themselves began on April 15, 2023, starting with the first round and culminating in the NBA Finals that tipped off on June 1st. I've always believed the NBA playoffs represent the most grueling postseason in professional sports - up to two months of high-intensity basketball where every possession is magnified. The conference finals typically begin in mid-May, and by the time the Finals arrive, we've witnessed countless storylines unfold and unexpected heroes emerge.
Reflecting on the complete NBA calendar, what strikes me is how perfectly paced the season feels. The early months let us evaluate new teams and players, the middle portion establishes patterns and rivalries, and the final stretch delivers the dramatic tension that basketball fans crave. The 2022-23 season followed this beautiful arc, from those tentative first games in October to the confetti falling in June. Though I'm supposed to maintain some professional detachment, I'll admit I'm already counting down to the next opening night - there's nothing quite like the promise of a fresh NBA season and all the surprises it inevitably brings.