What to Expect From the 2022 NBA Regular Season Schedule and Key Matchups

As a longtime NBA analyst who's been covering the league for over fifteen years, I've learned that the offseason often generates just as much excitement as the games themselves. This year's schedule release has been particularly fascinating, especially when you consider how other major sporting events can unexpectedly influence the basketball landscape. I was just reading about the whispers surrounding Floyd Mayweather potentially attending the Pacquiao-Barrios fight to support his fighters, and it struck me how these crossover sporting moments create a unique energy that sometimes spills over into other leagues. It's that same electric atmosphere I'm anticipating for several key NBA matchups this coming season.

The 2022-23 NBA regular season promises to deliver 1,230 games of thrilling basketball, but let's be honest—only about 30-40 of those will truly capture the national spotlight. Having studied schedule patterns for years, I can tell you the league office has masterfully positioned several must-watch games during primetime windows. The Christmas Day slate alone features five games that could have playoff implications, with the Warriors-Lakers matchup standing out as particularly intriguing. From my perspective, watching Steph Curry and LeBron James continue their historic rivalry never gets old, even if both teams have evolved significantly since their Finals battles. What makes this season special is how many new storylines have emerged—Kevin Durant remaining in Brooklyn after his trade request, the young Cavaliers looking to build on last year's surprise performance, and Zion Williamson's return to what should be a competitive Pelicans squad.

I've always believed that the most compelling matchups aren't just about star power but about narrative tension, and this season delivers that in spades. The opening night double-header on October 18th featuring Lakers-Warriors and Celtics-76ers feels particularly symbolic of the league's current hierarchy. Personally, I'm most excited to see how the Celtics respond after their Finals loss, especially when they face the Warriors in that December 10th rematch. That game has all the ingredients of a classic—revenge narrative, championship pedigree, and two contrasting styles that create beautiful basketball chaos. The Western Conference looks absolutely stacked this year, with perhaps 12 teams having legitimate playoff aspirations. The February 15th matchup between the Suns and Mavericks stands out to me as potentially season-defining for both franchises, given their playoff history and both teams' championship windows being wide open.

When we examine the schedule density, teams will play 82 games across 177 days, creating those challenging back-to-backs that often separate contenders from pretenders. The data shows that last season, teams winning the second game of back-to-backs dropped by approximately 18% compared to their regular win percentage, though I suspect this year might see some regression toward the mean as teams manage loads more effectively. The play-in tournament has fundamentally changed how teams approach the regular season, and I'm convinced we'll see more teams fighting for positioning deeper into April than we did before its introduction. My prediction? The battle for the 6th through 10th seeds in both conferences will be absolutely wild this year, making those late-season matchups between middle-tier teams must-watch television.

As we look toward what promises to be another unforgettable NBA season, the schedule provides numerous opportunities for statement games and momentum shifts. The March 5th Bucks-Nets matchup could very well determine Eastern Conference seeding, while the April 9th finale between Timberwolves-Suns might decide who avoids the play-in tournament altogether. Having witnessed countless regular seasons unfold, I can confidently say this year's slate appears particularly well-constructed for drama and intrigue. The NBA has done a fantastic job creating natural peaks throughout the marathon schedule, giving us basketball fans compelling reasons to tune in from October right through to next spring.