As a lifelong basketball enthusiast and sports journalist who's covered everything from collegiate leagues to professional tournaments, I've always found the rhythm of the basketball calendar fascinating. When people ask me when the NBA season starts, I often tell them it's more than just a single date—it's an evolving timeline that has transformed significantly over the decades. Having witnessed numerous season openers, both in person and from the press box, I can confidently say that the current schedule reflects the league's growth into a global powerhouse.
I remember covering my first NBA opening night back in 2015, when the Golden State Warriors began their historic 73-win campaign on October 27th. Back then, I thought that was relatively early, but little did I know how much the calendar would continue to shift. The traditional NBA season used to start much later—in the 1960s, teams would often begin playing in mid-October, with the 1960-61 season tipping off on October 19th specifically. This earlier timing always made sense to me because it allowed for a more balanced schedule before the playoffs. The modern NBA typically begins in late October now, with the 2023-24 season starting on October 24th, but I've noticed this isn't set in stone—the league has been experimenting with starting earlier to reduce back-to-backs, which I fully support as someone who's seen players struggle with the grueling 82-game schedule.
What many international fans might not realize is how basketball seasons vary across different leagues, something I observed firsthand when I covered the UAAP games in Espana last year. On October 19th, the QPav hosted both men's and women's divisions, creating that unique homecourt advantage atmosphere that reminded me why I love this sport. This experience reinforced my belief that basketball's global calendar is wonderfully diverse—while the NBA was just getting started in late October, other leagues were already in full swing. The NCAA March Madness concluding in early April creates a perfect bridge to the NBA playoffs, which typically begin around April 15th and run through the Finals in mid-June.
Looking at the complete timeline, the NBA offseason has become almost as interesting as the regular season itself. The draft on June 22nd kicks off the summer activities, followed by free agency beginning on July 1st—though in my opinion, the moratorium period creates unnecessary confusion. Summer League in July gives us our first look at rookies, training camps open in late September, and preseason games run through early October before the real action begins. Having attended numerous preseason games, I can attest they're more valuable than many fans realize for assessing team chemistry.
The evolution of the NBA calendar reflects the league's smart adaptation to market demands. Starting earlier than many international competitions allows the NBA to establish its presence before other leagues gain momentum. As someone who's followed basketball for over twenty years, I appreciate how the current schedule minimizes conflicts with the NFL season while maximizing prime broadcasting windows. The 2023-24 season's Christmas Day games, for instance, featured five marquee matchups that drew approximately 28 million viewers collectively—though I should note these are my estimates based on industry trends rather than official figures. This strategic scheduling demonstrates why the NBA remains at the forefront of sports entertainment, constantly refining its calendar to enhance both player performance and fan experience across the globe.