When Is the NBA Season?
The NBA season is upon us! Here’s everything you need to know about when it starts, what to expect and how to watch.
Introduction
The NBA season is upon us! Here’s everything you need to know about when it starts, what to expect, and how to catch all the action.
The regular season will tip off on October 22, 2019 and run through April 15, 2020. All 30 teams will play 82 games apiece, with a few exceptions: the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves will each play one additional game due to their involvement in the 2020 NBA China Games.
As for the playoffs, those are scheduled to begin on April 18 and could run as late as June 16 if the Finals go to a Game 7.
You can catch all the action on TV – games will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. You can also find them streamed online via NBA League Pass (subscription required).
The NBA’s Regular Season
The NBA’s regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The schedule is carefully balanced so that all teams play an equal number of games against opponents in their own conference and in the other conference.
The season is divided into two halves, with the first half running from October to January and the second half from February to April. At the end of each half, the team with the best record in each conference earns a berth in the playoffs.
The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that culminates in the NBA Finals, a best-of-seven series between the champions of the Eastern and Western conferences. The Finals are typically held in June.
The NBA’s Postseason
The NBA’s postseason is one of the most highly anticipated events in all of professional basketball. After a grueling regular season, the best teams from across the country compete for the chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
The NBA postseason typically begins in mid-April and can last well into June. The first round of the playoffs is a best-of-seven series, meaning that the team with the better record must win four games before the other team can win three. The conference semifinals and conference finals are also best-of-seven series, with the winners advancing to the NBA Finals.
The NBA Finals is a best-of-seven series between the winners of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals. The team with the better record going into the playoffs has home court advantage, meaning that they will host four of the seven games (if necessary).
While anything can happen in the playoffs, there are often a few teams that stand out as favorites to win it all going into the postseason. These are typically teams that have had a strong regular season and have some of the best players in the league on their roster.
No matter who is playing, though, the NBA playoffs are always must-see TV for basketball fans around the world.
Conclusion
The NBA season typically runs from October to June, with a brief break in February for the All-Star Game. The playoffs usually start in April and can last into June. The NBA Finals is the championship series of the playoffs and is usually scheduled for mid-June.
