The NBA has announced the schedule for 2022-23 and revealed that the Nets have been relegated.
After a disappointing season and disrupted by Kevin Durant's trade request, the Nets are clearly absent from the marquee's Christmas Day calendar for the first time since 2020, and will be on national television. Participation was cut in half.
No longer a headliner
The Nets were featured on ABC, ESPN and TNT 26 times last season, but that number has been cut to just 13 this season. rice field. If Durant isn't sure whether to lead a star-studded roster or the Nets become legitimate championship contenders, they'll be his one out of five on his ABC.
Compared to his 13 national television appearances for the Nets, the Fin Curry and defending his champion Warriors make his 18th. The NBA finalists Celtics swept the Nets in the first round, and LeBron is tied with James and the Lakers in his 16 national television games.
This is the latest evidence that the Nets are no longer a guaranteed national draw until further notice, as if someone needed more.7 games on ESPN, TNT 5 more games on NBA TV and 10 on NBA TV. Their only ABC appearance will be Saturday, January 28 vs. the Knicks during the NBA's New Rivalry Week.
Here are some key takeaways from the Nets schedule:
Back to the Bay
January at Golden State Wednesday's game, arguably Durant's first game in front of Warriors fans in June 2019, since he left for Brooklyn in June 2019, is now on national television. The game can always be picked up later if Durant hasn't been traded before and is still net.
Speaking of back...
After trading James Harden for Ben Simmons, the young All-Star is still with the Nets thanks to a back injury that required surgery haven't played He's finally picking up the pace for his long-delayed Nets debut on Oct. 19 against New Orleans and Zion Williamson.
Durant, Simmons and Kyrie Irving will all be on the court together for the first time.
Turnpike rivalry
As it stands, without Durant's deal, perhaps even with one, the most anticipated return is on November 22 in Philadelphia. It could be Simmons' first bout to take place. The game will be TNT. When the 76ers hosted the Nets last season, it was full of poison and bitterness. Simmons was unable to even play and wore plain clothes due to his back injury.
The Nets, who traded Harden to Simmons at last season's trade deadline, will host the former MVP on NBA TV Feb. 11.
Travel
Now The Nets have a streak of 14 straight games this season, but at least they don't have to deal with grueling road trips at the circus. Their two longest road swings spanned five viable games each, with the first starting in San Antonio on January 17 and ending in Philadelphia on January 25, while the second ends March 7 in Houston and March 14 in Oklahoma City.
