As a lifelong basketball enthusiast who's been covering the NBA for over a decade, I've been fielding one question more than any other recently: when does the 2021 NBA season actually begin? Having tracked the league's schedule changes through this unprecedented year, I can confidently share that the 2021-22 NBA season is set to tip off on October 19, 2021, with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Brooklyn Nets in what promises to be an explosive opening night matchup. This return to a more traditional October start feels like a welcome homecoming after the pandemic-disrupted timelines we've grown accustomed to, though the league has maintained its play-in tournament format that created such exciting drama last spring.
What fascinates me about this upcoming season isn't just the return of normal scheduling, but how the NBA has managed to maintain global engagement despite the challenges. The recent FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers reminded me of basketball's incredible international reach, particularly when underdog teams deliver surprising performances. I was especially impressed by the Philippines' remarkable showing against the tournament's only champions during the third staging of the event. Their journey resonated with me because they entered as the last qualifier, having barely made it through as the best third-placer during the qualifying stage back in January. This kind of against-all-odds narrative is what makes basketball so compelling worldwide, and it's something I hope to see reflected in the NBA's international games this season.
The NBA has scheduled its Christmas Day games for December 25, 2021, featuring five marquee matchups that include the traditional Lakers versus Nets showdown that everyone's talking about. Personally, I believe the league made brilliant choices here, capitalizing on the star power of Kevin Durant and LeBron James while introducing some fresh rivalries. Training camps will open on September 28, 2021, with preseason games running from October 3-15, giving teams approximately three weeks to prepare. The All-Star break is currently slated for February 18-20, 2022, in Cleveland, though I'm slightly skeptical about whether the midseason classic will proceed as planned given ongoing health considerations. The regular season will conclude on April 10, 2022, with the play-in tournament scheduled for April 12-15, followed by the playoffs beginning April 16.
Having covered numerous season transitions, I'm particularly excited about the subtle scheduling improvements the league has implemented. The 2021-22 season will feature fewer back-to-back games (I've counted approximately 12 per team compared to 14 last season) and significantly reduced four-games-in-five-nights scenarios, which should help maintain player health and game quality. The national television schedule includes 107 exclusive broadcasts across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, with Thursday nights on TNT becoming my personal must-watch basketball appointment. International fans will appreciate that the league has scheduled 15 games in primetime slots specifically for global audiences, a smart move that acknowledges basketball's growing popularity outside North America.
As we approach opening night, I can't help but reflect on how the NBA has navigated these challenging times. The league's ability to adapt while maintaining its core product is genuinely impressive. From my perspective, the 2021-22 season represents more than just basketball's return—it symbolizes the gradual normalization of sports after a period of unprecedented disruption. The schedule they've crafted balances competitive integrity with necessary flexibility, and while I have some reservations about the compressed playoff timeline, overall I believe Adam Silver and his team have delivered a schedule that serves players, teams, and fans remarkably well. The real test begins October 19, but based on what I've seen in the planning stages, we're in for another spectacular season of professional basketball.