It feels like the NBA season just ended, but here we are looking at the schedule for the upcoming season.
The games don’t begin until late October and we now have a sense of the full schedule after the league revealed the full slate for 2021-22 this week.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets get things started October 19, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Golden State Warriors.
That is not a bad showcase at all to start a new season.
If anything, it is nice after the past year-and-a-half to be talking about a normal start to a season.
However, we still aren’t sure about attendance policies, which is something that could keep changing as time goes on.
The 2021-22 regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, and conclude on Sunday, April 10, 2022 for the landmark 75th Anniversary Season! #NBA75
FULL SCHEDULE: https://t.co/qWgitCBHgC pic.twitter.com/jMaEX0GFjF
— NBA (@NBA) August 20, 2021
Back To 82 Games
This will mark the first time since 2018-19 that the NBA plays its normal 82-game schedule.
And most importantly, they will do this without rushing like they did last season when 72 games were played on a condensed schedule.
This will hopefully mean fewer injuries and more time for stars to get some rest throughout the year.
The @NBA opening night schedule is here!@BrooklynNets vs. @Bucks // 7:30 pm ET@warriors vs. @Lakers // 10 pm ET
📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/2PgxA280nS
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 17, 2021
The only caveat here is that last season ended late, so there won’t be a true “normal” offseason schedule again until next year.
But going back to 82 games is a great sign, even if fans and players may prefer a shorter slate given the length of the postseason.
This is also good news for those who care about single-season records and the sort.
Notable Dates
As stated before, everything gets underway October 19.
We will once again have a full slate of five Christmas Day games in 2021, and the regular season comes to an end on April 10.
Following that there will be the play-in tournaments, before a full postseason is underway again.
Having the NBA Finals back in June will be nice as to not confuse everyone who keeps track of time according to the sporting calendar.
The Nets and Lakers enter the year as title favorites once again and a longer schedule should mean both teams can keep their stars healthy.
If injuries arise, it’s not like the schedule is condensed like it was last season.
But fans saw just a month ago that anything can happen in the NBA.
The Bucks won it all and are out to prove they are not to be forgotten about just because Brooklyn is healthy.
The season begins in under two months and should be here before we know it, right in the middle of football season and the World Series.
Just like old times.
NEXT: 3 Reasons Sacramento Kings Can Reach Postseason In 2022