The NBA preseason kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 2, providing a two-week appetizer to the main course of the regular season, which begins on Tuesday, Oct. 21. All 30 teams will be in action, and we get 68 games in four countries with three international opponents mixed in.
Most teams play four or five preseason games; the exceptions are the Lakers, Thunder, Raptors and Heat, who play six, and the Wizards and Clippers, who play three. The timing of each team's schedule is also wildly unbalanced — the Thunder will play four of their preseason games before the Wizards play their first.
Most teams will split their preseason slates between home and away games, but several will be headed out on extended overseas trips. The Knicks and 76ers will travel to Abu Dhabi for a pair of showcase games. The Pelicans will head to Australia to play against several NBL teams. And the Nets and Suns will be in China for a pair of games. In addition to those overseas trips, the Brooklyn Nets will host Hapoel Jerusalem for one of their preseason games.
Schedule for NBA International preseason games
DAY | TEAMS | LOCATION | TIME (ET) | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 2 | Knicks vs. 76ers | Abu Dhabi | 12:00 p.m. | League Pass |
Oct. 3 | Melbourne United vs. Pelicans | Australia | 5:30 a.m. | League Pass |
Oct. 4 | 76ers vs. Knicks | Abu Dhabi | 11:00 a.m. | League Pass |
Oct. 4 | SEM Phoenix vs. Pelicans | Australia | 11:00 p.m. | League Pass |
Oct. 10 | Suns vs. Nets | China | 8:00 a.m. | League Pass |
Oct. 12 | Nets vs. Suns | China | 7:00 a.m. | League Pass |
How can I watch NBA preseason games?
The vast majority of preseason games should be available through local broadcast partners if you live in the area of your team, or through NBA League Pass if you don't. League Pass costs $109.99 for the all teams for the full season. In addition, several preseason games will be available on the league's national television partners.
DATE | TEAMS | TIME | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 5 | Lakers vs. Warriors | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Oct. 7 | Bulls vs. Cavs | 7:00 p.m. | Peacock |
Oct. 12 | Cavs vs. Celtics | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
Oct. 12 | Nuggets vs. Clippers | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Oct. 14 | Thunder vs. Bucks | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock |
Oct. 15 | Mavs vs. Lakers | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Oct. 16 | Rockets vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
The final preseason games are scheduled for Oct. 17, leaving a four-day window for teams to make their final preparations before the regular season begins.
Check out the individual preseason schedule for each team below.
Atlanta Hawks preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | @ Rockets | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | @ Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | vs. Heat | 6:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. |
Boston Celtics preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 8 | @ Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | @ Raptors | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | vs. Cavs | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | vs. Raptors | 7:30 p.m. |
Brooklyn Nets preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 4 | vs. Hapoel Jerusalem | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | vs. Suns (in Macau) | 8:00 a.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Suns (in Macau) | 7:00 a.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Raptors | 7:00 p.m. |
Charlotte Hornets preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 5 | vs. Thunder | 5:00 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | @ Thunder | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | @ Mavs | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | vs. Grizzlies | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Knicks | 7:30 p.m. |
Chicago Bulls preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 7 | @ Cavs | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | vs. Cavs | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | vs. Bucks | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | @ Nuggets | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | vs. Timberwolves | 8:00 p.m. |
Cleveland Cavaliers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 7 | vs. Bulls | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | @ Bulls | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Celtics | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Pistons | 7:00 p.m. |
Dallas Mavericks preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | vs. Honrets | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | @ Jazz | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | @ Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
Denver Nuggets preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 4 | vs. Timberwolves | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 6 | @ Raptors | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Clippers | 9:30 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Bulls | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Thunder | 8:00 p.m. |
Detroit Pistons preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | @ Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | @ Bucks | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | @ Cavs | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Wizards | 7:00 p.m. |
Golden State Warriors preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 5 | vs. Lakers | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 8 | vs. Blazers | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Lakers | 9:30 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | @ Blazers | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Clipper | 10:00 p.m. |
Houston Rockets preseason schedule
DAY | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | vs. Hawks | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 8 | @ Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Heat | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Hawks | 7:30 p.m. |
Indiana Pacers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 7 | @ Timberwolves | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | vs. Thunder | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | vs. Spurs | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Spurs | 8:00 p.m. |
Los Angeles Clippers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 12 | vs. Nuggets | 9:30 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | @ Kings | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Warriors | 10:00 p.m. |
Los Angeles Lakers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 3 | vs. Suns | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 5 | @ Warriors | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | vs. Warriors | 9:30 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | @ Suns | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | vs. Mavs | 10:30 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Kings | 10:30 p.m. |
Memphis Grizzlies preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | vs. Pistons | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 8 | vs. Celtics | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | vs. Hawks | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | @ Hornets | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Heat | 8:00 p.m. |
Miami Heat preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 4 | vs. Magic | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 6 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 8 | vs. Spurs | 7:30 p.m |
Oct. 12 | @ Magic | 6:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | @ Heat | 6:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
Milwaukee Bucks preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | @ Heat | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | vs. Pistons | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Bulls | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Thunder | 8:00 p.m. |
Minnesota Timberwolves preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 4 | @ Nuggets | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 7 | vs. Pacers | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | @ Knicks | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Bulls | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ 76ers | 7:00 p.m. |
New Orleans Pelicans preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 3 | @ Melbourne United | 5:30 a.m. |
Oct. 4 | @ SEM Phoenix | 11:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Rockets | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Magic | 7:00 p.m. |
New York Knicks preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 2 | vs. 76ers (in Abu Dhabi) | 12:00 p.m. |
Oct. 4 | @ 76ers (in Abu Dhabi) | 11:00 a.m. |
Oct. 9 | vs. Timberwolves | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | vs. Wizards | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Hornets | 7:30 p.m. |
Oklahoma City Thunder preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 5 | @ Hornets | 5:00 p.m. |
Oct. 6 | @ Mavs | 8:30 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | vs. Hornets | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 11 | @ Pacers | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | @ Bucks | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Nuggets | 8:00 p.m. |
Orlando Magic preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 4 | @ Heat | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | @ 76ers | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | vs. Heat | 6:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | vs. Pelicans | 7:00 p.m. |
Philadelphia 76ers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 2 | vs. Knicks (in Abu Dhabi) | 12:00 p.m. |
Oct. 4 | @ Knicks (in Abu Dhabi) | 11:00 a.m. |
Oct. 10 | vs. Magic | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Timberwolves | 7:00 p.m. |
Phoenix Suns preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 3 | @ Lakers | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | @ Nets (in China) | 8:00 a.m. |
Oct. 12 | vs. Nets (in China) | 7:00 a.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Lakers | 10:00 p.m. |
Portland Trail Blazers preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 8 | @ Warriors | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | vs. Kings | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 14 | vs. Warriors | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Jazz | 10:00 p.m. |
Sacramento Kings preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 8 | vs. Raptors | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | @ Trail Blazers | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | vs. Clippers | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | @ Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
San Antonio Spurs preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 8 | @ Heat | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | vs. Jazz | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | @ Pacers | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Pacers | 8:00 p.m. |
Toronto Raptors preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 6 | vs. Nuggets | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 8 | @ Kings | 10:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | vs. Celtics | 7:00 p.m. |
Oct. 12 | @ Wizards | 3:00 p.m. |
Oct. 15 | @ Celtics | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 17 | vs. Nets | 7:00 p.m. |
Utah Jazz preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 8 | @ Rockets | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | @ Spurs | 8:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | vs. Mavericks | 9:00 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | vs. Blazers | 9:00 p.m. |
Washington Wizards preseason schedule
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Oct. 12 | vs. Raptors | 3:00 p.m. |
Oct. 13 | @ Knicks | 7:30 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | @ Pistons | 7:00 p.m. |