NBA 2022-23 Key Dates: All-Star Weekend Schedule, Trade Deadline and More
The Golden State Warriors returned to the top of the NBA world last season, winning their fourth championship in eight years (and first since 2018). Now, they're looking to go back-to-back, just as they did in 2017 and 2018.
The Warriors begin their title defense when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 18, the first day of the 2022-23 regular season. Earlier that night, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will go head-to-head to tip off the new campaign.
Between Oct. 18 and April 9, all 30 of the league's teams will play an 82-game schedule. The best will rise to the top, then battle it out in the playoffs in hopes of capturing the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
As the start of the NBA season approaches, here are all the important dates you need to know for the 2022-23 campaign.
Key Dates
Oct. 18: Start of regular season
Feb. 9: Trade deadline
Feb. 17-19: All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City
April 9: End of regular season
April 11-14: Play-In Tournament
April 15: Start of playoffs
May 16: Draft lottery
June 1: Start of NBA Finals
June 18: Last possible date for end of NBA Finals
June 22: NBA draft
Season Preview
At the end of last season, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games in the NBA Finals. Heading into the 2022-23 campaign, both teams are again among the top championship contenders.
The Warriors are relying on the same core players who have led them to previous success. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be anchoring the backcourt, while forward Draymond Green will provide leadership in the post.
But Golden State could be even better during the upcoming season, as it has numerous young players who should continue to improve as they gain experience. That group includes guard Moses Moody, forward Jonathan Kuminga and center James Wiseman, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Celtics went out and made a substantial move to upgrade their roster. They acquired guard Malcolm Brogdon in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, adding him to a core that already includes Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and others.
So, it's possible that either the Warriors and/or the Celtics could be back in the NBA Finals in June. But there are some other strong teams looking to prevent that from happening.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets all have plenty of star power on their rosters, but each underperformed last season. If their top players stay healthy and jell, any of that trio has the talent to make a deep playoff run.
There are also the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, the two teams that met in the 2021 NBA Finals. Neither made it back there last season, but they both possess talented squads.
Maybe a new championship contender could emerge. The Minnesota Timberwolves got much better, adding center Rudy Gobert to a roster that has Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may be poised to take the next step. They now have guard Donovan Mitchell to lead a talented lineup of youngsters that includes Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro.
Of course, there could also be some major surprises. Anything can happen in the NBA, and the preseason projections could end up way off based on teams that either underperform or emerge as unexpected contenders.
Soon enough, we'll start to see how teams shape up.
