The NBA returns to ESPN with a huge opening day double header, and 10 live games across the opening six days of the season – which will be the biggest ever seen on ESPN in Australia and New Zealand.
‘Your Home For Hoops’ will bring NBA fans the most comprehensive coverage of the 2023-24 NBA season, with over 230 live games, plus NBA All Star Weekend, NBA Playoffs and every game from the NBA Finals – along with the inaugural NBA Cup.
The 2023-24 NBA season is set to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with a host of sides looking to steal the crown from the NBA champions, Denver.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to their first ever championship last season, and they will be a major contenders again, alongside expected challengers – the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
The new NBA season tips off on Wednesday October 25 with a live double header on ESPN.
Denver starts the new season in a mega opening day matchup against LeBron James and the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers – live from 10.30am AEDT.
The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns then follow immediately after, live on ESPN at 1pm AEDT.
Phoenix enters the new season considered a serious championship contender, led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Those NBA championship claims will be tested on the opening day, against a jam-packed Warriors starting five containing Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Chris Paul.
Thursday October 26 has another live double header from 10am AEDT on ESPN – highlighted by the NBA regular season debut of #1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama.
‘Wemby’ fever has been sweeping through San Antonio, and the Spurs begin their season against Dallas live at 12.30pm AEDT.
7ft Wembanyama will be greeted by a Mavericks outfit with an Australian flavour – Josh Green, Dante Exum and Kyrie Irving all suiting up for Dallas this season, alongside superstar Luka Doncic.
Wednesday’s opening double header is just a taste of what is to come in the opening days of the NBA season. ESPN has 10 games live across the opening six days of the new campaign.
The 2023-24 NBA season unveils the NBA Cup for the first time – an in-season tournament running from November 4 to December 10 AEDT.
All 30 NBA teams have been drawn into five groups within their conference, based on win-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season.
Teams will play each opponent in their group, before proceeding to the knockout rounds – which will be single elimination games in the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Championship. The NBA Cup Championship game will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Local stars will fly the flag throughout the NBA season with Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ben Simmons (Brooklyn Nets), Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Jock Landale (Phoenix Suns), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Jack White (Oklahoma City Thunder), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Makur Makur (Toronto Raptors) and Duop Reath (Portland Trail Blazers).
ESPN continues to be the ultimate destination for basketball fans as ‘Your Home For Hoops, with a full slate of NBA, NBL, WNBL, WNBA, and FIBA content.
NBA Opening on ESPN
Wednesday October 25
10.30am AEDT, Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN
1pm AEDT, Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns, ESPN
Thursday October 26
10am AEDT, New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics, ESPN
1pm AEDT, San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks, ESPN
Friday October 27
10.30am AEDT, Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN2
1pm AEDT, Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns, ESPN2
Saturday October 28
10.30am AEDT, Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat, ESPN2
1pm AEDT, Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors, ESPN2
Sunday October 29
10am AEDT, New Orleans Pelicans vs New York Knicks, ESPN2
Monday October 30
12pm AEDT, Los Angeles Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs, ESPN2
