When Does the 2022 NBA Season Start? Key Dates and Full Schedule Revealed

2025-11-14 10:00

I remember waking up one October morning with that familiar itch - the kind that only basketball fans understand. The air was getting crisper, pumpkin spice everything had taken over the coffee shops, and I found myself constantly refreshing NBA news sites, wondering when I'd get to see Steph Curry drain those impossible three-pointers again. Well, fellow hoops enthusiasts, I've got some great news for you - the 2022 NBA season is nearly here, and I've been digging through all the details like a kid searching for Christmas presents in November.

The official tip-off happens on October 18th, 2022, and just typing that date gives me goosebumps. I've already marked my calendar with glittery stars because this isn't just any season opener - we're looking at a full 82-game schedule after the pandemic-shortened seasons we've endured recently. That's right, we're back to proper basketball marathon, not some rushed sprint. The league learned its lesson from last year's compressed schedule that left players looking more exhausted than I do during tax season. They've built in more rest days, which means we'll see fewer back-to-back games and hopefully fewer injuries to star players. As someone who still hasn't recovered from watching Kawhi Leonard go down during the playoffs last year, I appreciate this thoughtful scheduling more than I can express.

Now here's where things get really interesting for us international basketball fans. While we're counting down to opening night, there's this fascinating parallel basketball universe unfolding overseas that deserves our attention. I was just reading about William Navarro finally heading to Korea, and it struck me how global our beloved sport has become. Navarro's journey mirrors what we're seeing in the NBA - talented players crossing borders, bringing their unique styles to new audiences. His move to Korea reminds me that while we're focused on when the Warriors will face the Celtics, there are equally compelling stories developing in leagues across Asia and Europe. The basketball world doesn't stop when the NBA season ends anymore - it just shifts continents.

Christmas Day has always been my favorite NBA tradition, right up there with turkey and awkward family conversations. This year, the league has scheduled five absolute bangers on December 25th, including what I'm predicting will be an instant classic between the Lakers and Mavericks. LeBron versus Luka on Christmas? Sign me up! I'll be watching with my special basketball-themed Christmas sweater that my wife pretends to hate but secretly finds adorable. The NBA understands that holidays are for family, food, and fantastic basketball - it's the trifecta of seasonal joy.

Speaking of traditions, the All-Star break is scheduled for February 17-19 in Salt Lake City, which honestly surprised me. I was expecting somewhere warmer, but then I remembered how much fun the 2020 Chicago All-Star weekend was despite the chilly weather. The NBA knows how to throw a party regardless of the temperature. I'm particularly excited about the new All-Star format they introduced last year - the "Elam Ending" where they play to a target score rather than watching the clock wind down. It created the most exciting finish I've seen in years, and I'm hoping they keep that energy going.

As we approach the business end of the season, April 9th marks the final day of regular season games. This is when the real magic happens - those play-in tournaments that had us all on the edge of our seats last year. I still get chills thinking about Steph Curry's performance in last season's play-in games, even if the Warriors ultimately fell short. The play-in tournament adds this delicious layer of drama that extends the playoff race, and frankly, I'm here for it. Some purists hate it, but I think it's the best innovation the league has introduced in years.

What fascinates me about this global basketball ecosystem is how interconnected everything has become. While William Navarro begins his Korean basketball adventure, hundreds of other players are making similar journeys across the world. The NBA schedule now includes more international games than ever before, with rumors of regular season games potentially happening in Paris and Manila in the coming years. We're truly watching the sport evolve into a global language, and as someone who's been following basketball since the Jordan era, I find this development both exciting and slightly surreal.

The playoffs begin on April 15th, and if last year's postseason taught us anything, it's that predictions are pointless. Who could have guessed the Bucks would win it all after that devastating injury to Giannis? Or that the Suns would make that incredible run to the finals? This unpredictability is what keeps me coming back season after season. I may plan my October through June around the NBA schedule, but the beautiful chaos of basketball always finds ways to surprise me. So clear your calendars, tell your significant others you'll be temporarily unavailable most evenings, and get ready for what promises to be another unforgettable ride. The basketball isn't just coming - it's bringing the entire world with it.