Everything We Know About the 2023 NBA Season
The dog days of summer are well over, fall sports have kicked off, and the NBA season is in full swing. Basketball fans can rejoice as NBA season is one of the most exciting times of the year. Teams have rolled out new lineups featuring trade acquisitions, one team is fiercely defending its crown, and we’re all in for an exciting season of basketball all the way through to the NBA finals in June.
If you want to prepare for the 2023 NBA season, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need about the upcoming season, including key dates, teams to look out for, the All-Star Game, and more.
2023 NBA Key Dates
- October 24th: Regular Season Begins
- November 3: NBA In-Season Tournament Begins
- December 7: NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals
- December 9: NBA In-Season Tournament Championship
- February 8: NBA Trade Deadline
- February 16-18 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis
- April 16-19: NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 20: NBA Playoffs Begin
- June 6: First Game of the NBA Finals
- June 27: 2024 NBA Draft
You can find the full 2023 NBA schedule here.
Pro Basketball Teams to Look Out For
All 30 teams start the 2023 NBA season with the same 0-0 record, but not all have the same odds of winning the title. These are the eight teams with the best chance of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions and are led by the best player in the NBA, Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets return the same starting five that brought them to the promised land last year but will feature some new faces coming off the bench. The Nuggets’ ability to repeat will largely be determined by how well some new faces gel and hold up in the non-Jokic minutes.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors will be contenders as long as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green lace up for the blue and gold. All three players are on the back end of their careers, and the championship window is closing for the Warriors.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks fizzled out in the playoffs last year when they were upset by the eight-seeded Miami Heat. This massive upset led to the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer. However, the Bucks won the NBA offseason and the Damian Lillian sweepstakes.
Adrian Griffin is now at the helm and responsible for finding a way to meld Damian Lillard’s long-range shooting and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incredible power.
LA Lakers
Father Time is undefeated, but Lebron James is giving him a run for his money. The Lakers front office reloaded and surrounded James with the type of players that will allow them to make another playoff run. They will have to rebound after getting swept by the Nuggets in last year’s playoffs.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns were the other big winner in the offseason when they successfully traded for Bradley Beal. This roster is stacked with offensive firepower, but the team will have to find a way to balance three ball-dominant players (Beal, Booker, and Durant) on offense.
The Suns will have to out-score teams because there is little in the way of defense on this roster.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics will lean on their dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Adding Jrue Holiday is a big win for the Celtics, but this team must take the next step to compete for an NBA championship.
LA Clippers
The Clippers are perennial contenders with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the roster. The issue is that the two of them have been unable to stay healthy. Clippers’ fans will hold their breath and hope these two dynamic players can stay healthy for an entire season.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, along with James Harden, for the moment. Harden seems determined to force his way out of Philly, so this team’s success will depend on what the 76ers can get in return for Harden in a trade.
Games to Watch in the 2023 NBA Schedule
Every year, there are some special games that you should tune in to watch. These games highlight the previous NBA champion, up-and-coming players, and some of the NBA’s most storied rivalries.
In-Season Tournament
The 2023-24 NBA season features the first-ever in-season tournament, starting in November and with the Championship on December 9. The in-season tournament will feature all 30 teams playing in group play before the top eight teams advance to the knockout rounds.
Christmas Day Games
The NBA Christmas Day games are an NBA tradition. This year’s slate of games features the top contenders and most popular teams in the NBA.
The All-Star Game
The 73rd rendition of the NBA All-Star Game will be held in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in February. In addition to the All-Star game, a variety of other events are happening over the weekend, including the Rising Stars Game, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and the always-hyped Slam Dunk Contest.
MLK Day Games
The NBA has scheduled 11 games to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This annual tradition has been held since 1986 to promote unity, togetherness and equality in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rivals Week
The NBA is bringing back Rivals Week after its inaugural year last season, which consists of 11 nationally televised games from Jan 23-27. These games feature some of the classic NBA rivalries, including Knicks vs. Lakers, Suns vs. Mavericks, Celtics vs. Heat, Kings vs. Warriors, and Sixers vs. Nuggets.
How to Bet on Basketball in Las Vegas
You are now ready for the NBA season to start in 2023. You know all the NBA key dates for the rest of the season, and the only thing left is to place your bets on your favorite NBA team. Circa Sports is the ultimate sportsbook in Las Vegas for basketball sports betting. Stop by Circa Resort, the D, or one of the other Circa Sports locations in Las Vegas to place your bets in person. Can’t make it into the sportsbook? Download the Circa Sports app on iOS or Android to have your bookie right in your pocket.
Whether in person or on the app, join Circa Sports for your premier place to bet on basketball in Vegas.
