The NBA regular season schedule is set to be released by the end of the month, with Phoenix Suns fans eagerly anticipating some notable matchups.
News is beginning to leak through of likely fixtures. According to The Athletics’ Shams Charania, the 2022-23 season will tip-off on October 18 as the Golden State Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers.
Scheduled for the NBA’s 2022-23 opening night and ring ceremony on TNT: Lakers at Warriors, Oct. 18, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 13, 2022
Other reported matchups include the Christmas Day schedule, with the Warriors hosting the Memphis Grizzlies and the Lakers facing off against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks could be a marquee matchup that the NBA use to tip-off the regular season schedule.
The NBA fraternity are certainly intrigued to see how the Suns respond to their disappointing second-round playoff exit. What better way to examine that by returning to the scene of the disaster, against the team that handed out the embarrassment.
Phoenix entered game seven of their series as clear favourites, that despite Dallas’ dominant win in game six. What followed was as an astounding a half as there’s been in recent NBA history, with the Mavericks jumping out to a 57-27 lead to practically end the contest.
The Suns’ offseason has been predicated on retaining their current core, headlined by the re-signing of Deandre Ayton, along with contract extensions for Devin Booker and head coach Monty Williams.
Some experts believe there could be a further scarring impact from the Suns’ playoff failure. There’s little doubt the franchise will relish the renewed opportunity to bounceback, perhaps even more so should that involve an early season matchup with the Mavericks.
Dallas have had their own offseason issues after bowing out in the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors, losing their second best player, Jalen Brunson, to the New York Knicks in free agency.
Phoenix started last season with a home loss to the Denver Nuggets, losing three of their opening four games before producing a franchise record 18 straight wins thereafter.