ESPN and the NBA have signed an enhanced broadcast agreement ahead of the season launch this Wednesday in a move that will deliver Australians more games than ever before.
ESPN’s new NBA broadcast deal is a massive win for Australian hoops fans, adding to the already extensive NBA schedule on the network.
ESPN will broadcast an additional 48 regular season live games across the new NBA season, an increase of two per week.
The agreement will also include an enhanced game package for the First and Second Round of the NBA Playoffs.
ESPN will once again provide extensive coverage of NBA All Star Weekend and the NBA Playoffs and every game from the NBA Finals.
The new broadcast agreement will allow ESPN increased flexibility to select matches that involve players and matchups of local relevance – a tremendous benefit to the network, given the increase in local players across the NBA.
It also positions ESPN as the NBA’s exclusive TV Broadcast partner in our region. Free-to-air broadcaster SBS no longer has rights to the competition
ESPN continues to be the ultimate destination for basketball fans as ‘Your Home For Hoops, with a full slate of NBA, NBL, WNBL, WNBA, NCAA and FIBA content.
Bumper Opening Week on ESPN
This NBA campaign is set to be one of the biggest in recent memory, as the Golden State Warriors look to build a new dynasty, defending their NBA Championship.
The 2022-23 NBA season begins Wednesday October 19 and ESPN will broadcast seven bumper NBA games LIVE, across the opening five days of the season.
The new campaign kicks off with a blockbuster doubleheader, live on ESPN, beginning at 10.30am AEDT, when the Philadelphia 76ers meet the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics went all the way to the NBA Finals, going down to the Golden State Warriors. Boston will hope to remain the best in the East, and will open the season against one of the leading challenges in the division, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Following live at 1pm AEDT, the Golden State Warriors collide with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors are again favoured to continue their dominance in the NBA, led as always by the resurgent ‘Splash Brothers’ Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Los Angeles will be hoping for an improved performance this season, with the pressure mounting on the superstar laden Lakers starting five, led of course by legend, LeBron James.
Oklahoma City Thunder pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels will be flying the flag for Australia. Giddey returns for his sophomore season in the NBA, having exploded to life in his debut year. Daniels make his NBA debut, having been secured with pick eight in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Patty Mills, Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving also will hit the court in Brooklyn, looking to improve after a disappointing end to last year.
Broadcast Schedule – Week One
Wednesday October 19
10.30am AEDT, Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics, ESPN
1pm AEDT, Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors, ESPN
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Thursday October 20
10.45am AEDT, New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN
1.05pm AEDT, Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns, ESPN
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Saturday October 22
1.05pm AEDT, Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat, ESPN
3.35pm AEDT, Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors, ESPN
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Sunday October 23
10.00am AEDT, Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic, ESPN
Good article. Only mistake, the times are all wrong for the Saturday games