The NBA Scheduleis Weird A Deep Diveinto Its Quirksand Oddities

Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, August 20th 2025 at 8:24 GMT by SB Nation
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The NBA schedule. It’s a thing of beauty…and sometimes, a source of utter bewilderment. While fans generally appreciate seeing their favorite teams compete, the process of crafting a 82-game slate for 30 teams across multiple time zones is inherently complex, leading to some truly bizarre and occasionally brilliant results. The 2023-24 season is no exception, offering up a fresh batch of scheduling quirks that deserve a closer look.

At its core, the NBA schedule aims to balance competitive fairness, television exposure, arena availability, and travel demands – all while trying to keep players relatively healthy (a Herculean task in itself). However, these goals often clash, resulting in some truly unusual circumstances for teams and fans alike. Let's unpack five of the most notable oddities this season.

1. The Clippers’ Chaotic Home Schedule: The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a particularly brutal home schedule this year. Due to conflicts with concerts at Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), they’re playing a staggering 19 games on “road” courts across Southern California – including Ontario, Anaheim, and San Diego. This means fans in Los Angeles will have limited opportunities to see the team play at their primary home venue. The situation is undeniably frustrating for Clippers supporters, who are essentially forced into becoming traveling roadies for their favorite team. It highlights a growing problem: arena conflicts impacting NBA teams’ ability to host games.

2. The Mavericks' Early Start and Late Finish: Dallas Mavericks fans will be among the first in the nation to witness live NBA action this season. They kick off the regular season on October 24th, facing the San Antonio Spurs at home – a full week before most other teams tip-off. Conversely, they’re also one of the last teams to conclude their home schedule, playing their final game on April 10th. This uneven distribution of games throughout the season can create an unusual rhythm for players and coaching staff, potentially impacting performance over the long haul.

3. The Timberwolves' TV Exposure Drought: Despite boasting a rising star in Anthony Edwards and a competitive roster, the Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a significant television exposure problem. They’re slated to appear on national television only four times this season – a shockingly low number compared to other teams in the league. This lack of visibility is detrimental not just for the team's marketing efforts but also for growing their fanbase beyond the Midwest. It raises questions about how the NBA prioritizes which teams receive prime-time exposure, and whether factors like market size always outweigh on-court performance.

4. The Raptors’ International Games – Again: The Toronto Raptors continue their tradition of playing games internationally, heading to Japan to face the Washington Wizards in Saitama as part of NBA Global Games. While these international contests are a valuable tool for expanding the league's reach and engaging new audiences overseas, they also present logistical challenges for players and staff, including travel fatigue and potential disruptions to training routines. The Raptors’ commitment to this initiative underscores the NBA’s ongoing efforts to cultivate global fandom.

5. The Suns’ Heavy West Coast Load: Phoenix Suns fans are in for a long season when it comes to television viewing. Due to scheduling constraints, the team is slated to appear on national television an unusually high number of times – 21 games total. While increased exposure can be beneficial, it also means more primetime slots and potentially less flexibility for local viewers who want to catch games at convenient hours. This highlights how national broadcasting deals often dictate game schedules, sometimes at the expense of regional fan preferences. Beyond the Headlines: The Underlying Issues

These five examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the NBA schedule's peculiarities. Several underlying factors contribute to these oddities. Arena conflicts, as seen with the Clippers, are becoming increasingly common as venues host more concerts and other events. Television contracts dictate a significant portion of game scheduling, prioritizing national viewership over regional preferences. Travel demands and player health concerns also play a role in shaping the schedule, although finding a perfect balance remains elusive.

Looking Ahead: Can the NBA Improve?

The current system isn't without its flaws. While the league acknowledges these issues, implementing significant changes is difficult due to the complex web of contracts and logistical constraints. However, some potential improvements could include greater flexibility in arena scheduling, more consideration for regional fan preferences when assigning national television slots, and exploring alternative travel arrangements to minimize player fatigue.

Ultimately, the NBA schedule will always be a compromise – a delicate balancing act between competing interests. While we can expect to see continued quirks and oddities each season, understanding the forces at play behind these scheduling decisions allows fans to appreciate the complexity of running a global sports league while simultaneously chuckling at its occasional absurdity. The 2023-24 season is proving to be another prime example of that very phenomenon.

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The NBA Scheduleis Weird A Deep Diveinto Its Quirksand Oddities