The NBA's preseason schedule is set to begin, and the first game could be a showcase for the blockbuster moves that shook up the league this offseason.
Every team in the league returned to the court this week for the start of training camps, and the opening exhibition game of the 2026-27 season is slated for Saturday, Oct. 3 with an NBA Canada game featuring the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat
in Quebec City.Though the availability of star players remains to be determined, it could be the first opportunity to see Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Heat jersey and the return of Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. Both Antetokounmpo and Leonard were acquired via high-profile trades in recent months.
Preseason action continues on Sunday, Oct. 4 when the Golden
State Warriors face the Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu and the Utah Jazz take on the Denver Nuggets in Boulder, Colorado.
Here's a breakdown of the NBA's preseason schedule, as well as key dates on the league calendar heading into the 2026-27 season:
When does the NBA preseason begin?
The preseason begins Saturday, Oct. 3 with an NBA Canada game when the Miami Heat face the Toronto Raptors in Quebec City.
- Saturday: Heat vs. Raptors, 7 p.m. ET | NBA TV | NBA League Pass
When are the next NBA preseason games?
The preseason continues Sunday, Oct. 4 with two games: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu and Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets in Boulder, Colorado.
- Sunday: Warriors vs. Clippers, 7 p.m. ET | NBA League Pass
- Sunday: Jazz vs. Nuggets, 7 p.m. ET | NBA TV | NBA League Pass
Full NBA preseason schedule
The NBA preseason runs from Oct. 3 through Oct. 16. Click here for the full schedule.
When does the NBA regular season begin?
The 2026-27 regular season begins on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with three games, including an afternoon tilt between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. That matchup will be followed by an evening doubleheader when LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers visit the reigning champion New York Knicks and the Spurs host the Thunder in a Western Conference Finals rematch.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: Celtics at Pistons, 3 p.m. ET | NBC | Peacock
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: 76ers at Knicks, 7 p.m. ET | NBC | Peacock
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: Thunder at Spurs, 9:30 p.m. ET | NBC | Peacock
Stream all three NBA opening day games on Peacock
When does the NBA Cup begin?
The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup begins Wednesday, Oct. 30 group play featuring 10 games. Group play concludes on Friday, Nov. 27.
2026 NBA Cup schedule
- Group play begins: Wednesday, Oct. 30
- Group play concludes: Friday, Nov. 27
- Quarterfinals: Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5
- Semifinals: Tuesday, Dec. 8 and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9
- Final: Friday, Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
When is the NBA trade deadline?
The trade deadline for the 2026-27 NBA season is Thursday, Feb. 11.
When is the NBA All-Star break?
The All-Star break for this season will run from Feb. 19 through Feb. 24.
When is the 2027 NBA All-Star Game?
NBA All-Star weekend is Feb. 19-21 in Phoenix. The 76th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, on Sunday, Feb. 21.
When does the NBA regular season end?
The 2026-27 season ends Sunday, April 11 with a full slate of 15 games.
When does the NBA postseason begin?
The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament runs from Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April 16. This will be followed by the 2027 NBA playoffs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA preseason tips off with Heat vs Raptors: 2026-27 key dates, schedule
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