2022-23 NBA REGULAR SEASON FEATURES 45 WEEKEND GAMES IN PRIMETIME IN EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
– “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays Presented by NBA 2K23” Returns for 10th Consecutive Season Featuring League’s Biggest Stars –
JOHANNESBURG AND LONDON, Aug. 18, 2022 – The 2022-23 NBA regular season features 45 games that will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as part of “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23,” marking the 10th consecutive regular season that the league has scheduled weekend games that air in primetime in EMEA.
The 45 games start as early as 12 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CET and feature the league’s biggest stars, including two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and 2021 NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece; ties to Nigeria), four-time NBA champion and 2022 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), 2021-22 Kia All-NBA First Team member Luka Doncić (Dallas Mavericks; Slovenia), five-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon), four-time NBA champion and Finals MVP LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), and reigning back-to-back Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets; Serbia).
“Scheduling weekly games in primetime for fans in Europe, the Middle East and Africa is a critical component of our efforts to make the excitement of NBA basketball more accessible to casual and hardcore fans,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Head of International Content Partnerships Matt Brabants. “Over the last 10 years we’ve seen a tremendous response to this initiative from fans across these regions, and with the quantity and quality of talent from Europe and Africa in the NBA at an all-time high and weekly appointment viewing in primetime, there has never been a better time to be an NBA fan in EMEA.”
“The growing impact of African players in the NBA is evident every time you turn on a game,” said NBA Africa Senior Director, Global Media Partnerships Kornelia Semmelink. “As our footprint on the continent continues to grow, the NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23 initiative is one of many ways we’re providing localized content to our passionate fans in Africa at a time that is convenient for them on the devices and platforms they use most.”
In addition to “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23,” games that will air in primetime in EMEA this season include The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 (Oct. 6 and 8 during the preseason), one game on the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. (Nov. 25), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16), The NBA Paris Game 2023 (Jan. 19) and the final day of the regular season (April 9). In total, NBA games and programming reach fans in more than 100 countries and territories across EMEA through the league’s broadcast partners in those regions and NBA League Pass, which features a season-long subscription package.
During the 2021-22 season (regular season and Playoffs), a record 56 games aired in primetime in EMEA. Opening-night rosters for the 2021-22 NBA season featured 65 players from Europe and the Middle East, 14 players from Africa and more than 30 players with at least one parent from Africa.
Below are highlights of the “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23” schedule. The complete schedule is available here.
- Sunday, Oct. 30: 2020 NBA All-Star Brandon Ingram, 2021 NBA All-Star Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans visit seven-time NBA All-Star Paul George, two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers at 3 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CET.
- Sunday, Nov. 27: Curry, four-time NBA All-Star Draymond Green, five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson and the defending NBA champion Warriors visit three-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, three-time NBA All-Star and Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert (France), 2020-21 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team member Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves at 3:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CET.
- Sunday, Dec. 25: 2020 NBA champion and eight-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, James and the Lakers visit Doncić and the Mavericks at 2:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CET on Christmas Day, followed by an NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23 rematch in Dallas on Feb. 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CET.
- Saturday, Jan. 14: Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, 2020 NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo, 2021-22 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat host Antetokounmpo, three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton, four-time Kia NBA All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday and the Bucks at 1 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CET.
- Saturday, Jan. 28: Jokić and the Nuggets visit Embiid, 2017-18 Kia NBA MVP and 10-time NBA All-Star James Harden and the 76ers at 3 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CET as part of NBA Rivals Week. Embiid and Jokić were the top two 2021-22 Kia NBA MVP finalists, with Jokić winning the award for the second consecutive season.
- Sunday, Feb. 12: Three-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, 2021 NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown, 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics host 2022 NBA All-Star Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies at 2 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CET.
- Sunday, March 5: Curry, Green, Thompson and the Warriors visit Davis, James and the Lakers at 3:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CET.
- Sunday, April 9: Three-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker, 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns host George, Leonard and the Clippers at 3:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CET.
The NBA yesterday released the complete game schedule for the 2022-23 regular season, which will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, and conclude on Sunday, April 9, 2023. The complete schedule and team-by-team schedules are available at NBA.com here.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
About NBA Africa
NBA Africa is a standalone entity formed in May 2021 that conducts the NBA’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010 before opening additional offices in Dakar, Senegal, and Lagos, Nigeria. The league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the BAL, and more.
NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that recently completed its second season. Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
NBA ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2022-23 REGULAR SEASON
– Opening Night (Tuesday, Oct. 18): Celtics vs. 76ers and Warriors vs. Lakers on TNT –
– Christmas Day: Five Games Across ESPN and ABC; Grizzlies Face Warriors in Christmas Debut –
– Travel Reduction: Miles Traveled Per Team at Historic Low; Total Miles Down 50,000+ From ’21-22 –
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 – The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio for the 2022-23 regular season. The complete schedule and team-by-team schedules are attached and available at NBA.com/schedule.
The 77th NBA regular season, which comprises 82 games per team, will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, and conclude on Sunday, April 9, 2023. The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will take place from Tuesday, April 11 – Friday, April 14, followed by the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel on Saturday, April 15. Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV is scheduled to be played on Thursday, June 1.
Kia NBA Tip-Off 2022
The first four days of the 2022-23 NBA regular season (Oct. 18-21) will feature eight national television games as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2022, with TNT and ESPN airing two doubleheaders each. Those games will showcase 12 different teams, three rematches from the 2022 NBA Playoffs and rosters that currently include 15 NBA All-Star selections from last season and seven recipients of the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
The regular season will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 18 with a doubleheader on TNT, marking Turner Sports’ 39th consecutive year of NBA coverage. In the first game, the Philadelphia 76ers will visit the reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET). In the second game, the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors will receive their championship rings before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET).
ESPN will tip off its 21st straight year of NBA coverage on Wednesday, Oct. 19 with a doubleheader, which begins with the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET). The second game will be a rematch of a 2022 Western Conference Semifinals series, with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Phoenix Suns (10 p.m. ET).
On Thursday, Oct. 20, TNT will present its second doubleheader of opening week as the 76ers host the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Lakers meet the LA Clippers (10 p.m. ET). ESPN’s doubleheader on Friday, Oct. 21 will have the Celtics visiting the Miami Heat (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Denver Nuggets facing the Warriors in San Francisco (10 p.m. ET) – rematches from the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals and 2022 Western Conference First Round, respectively.
NBA TV will tip off its live game coverage for the 2022-23 season on Saturday, Oct. 22 with a doubleheader as the San Antonio Spurs visit the 76ers (6 p.m. ET) and the Mavericks host the Grizzlies (8:30 p.m. ET). The national television schedule for the first week of the season will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 23 when the Suns visit the Clippers on NBA TV (10 p.m. ET).
Christmas Day
Five games will be played on Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25) for the 15th year in a row, with ESPN or ABC televising each matchup. The 75th edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will tip off on ESPN as the Knicks host the 76ers (noon ET).
The next three games will air on both ESPN and ABC, with the Lakers visiting the Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET), the Celtics hosting the Bucks in a 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals rematch (5 p.m. ET), and the Grizzlies making their Christmas Day debut when they visit the Warriors in a 2022 Western Conference Semifinals rematch (8 p.m. ET). The Christmas Day schedule will conclude with the Nuggets meeting the Suns in Denver on ESPN (10:30 p.m. ET).
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
TNT will present a doubleheader as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16. In the first game, the Atlanta Hawks will host the Heat in a rematch of a 2022 Eastern Conference First Round series (3:30 p.m. ET). In the second game, the teams with the two best records in the 2021-22 regular season will meet when the Suns (NBA-best 64-18 last season) visit the Grizzlies (56-26 last season) at 6 p.m. ET, marking Memphis’ 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game.
NBA TV will also televise two games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the Celtics visiting the Charlotte Hornets (1 p.m. ET) and the Lakers hosting the Houston Rockets (10:30 p.m. ET).
Election Day
As Election Day approaches, the NBA and its teams will continue to encourage fans to make a plan to vote and participate in the civic process. New this season, all 30 teams will play on Monday, Nov. 7 on the day before Election Day, when the NBA will help promote voter participation, share important resources from voting organizations and highlight the civic engagement work of teams in their markets. As part of this initiative, no NBA games have been scheduled for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
NBA Rivals Week
Classic and budding rivalries between teams and players will take center stage for NBA Rivals Week during the week of Jan. 23. A new highlight of the regular-season schedule, NBA Rivals Week will feature 11 nationally televised games across four networks over five days from Tuesday, Jan. 24 – Saturday, Jan. 28. Rivalries will be the focus of all nine games across TNT, ESPN and ABC that week, in addition to two games on NBA TV.
NBA Rivals Week will showcase a tripleheader on ABC on Jan. 28, concluding with the Lakers visiting the Celtics as the two teams that share the record for most NBA championships (17) and have met in the NBA Finals the most times (12) renew their rivalry in Boston (8:30 p.m. ET). Earlier in the day on ABC, two-time reigning Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokić will lead the Nuggets against back-to-back MVP runner-up and 2021-22 NBA scoring leader Joel Embiid and the 76ers (3 p.m. ET), followed by an intracity matchup between New York and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center (5:30 p.m. ET).
The complete game and broadcast schedule for NBA Rivals Week, which will include four rematches from the 2022 NBA Playoffs, is available here.
NBA Global Games
The 2022-23 season will feature the return of NBA Global Games with two regular-season games outside the U.S. and Canada, both televised by NBA TV. The NBA Mexico City Game 2022 will see the Heat face the Spurs on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City (5 p.m. ET). The NBA Paris Game 2023 will feature a matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Accor Arena in Paris (3 p.m. ET).
2022 NBA Finals Rematches
The Warriors and Celtics will meet for the first time since the 2022 NBA Finals on Saturday, Dec. 10 in San Francisco on ABC (8:30 p.m. ET). This will mark the season premiere of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, the first of seven regular-season games on Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The second and final regular-season matchup between the two defending conference champions will take place on Thursday, Jan. 19 in Boston on TNT (7:30 p.m. ET).
Final Day of Regular Season
All 30 teams will play on the final day of the regular season (Sunday, April 9). The seven games between Eastern Conference teams and the one interconference game (Rockets at Washington Wizards) will begin at 1 p.m. ET, and the seven games between Western Conference teams will start at 3:30 p.m. ET. ESPN will televise a doubleheader, with the matchups to be determined at a later date.
Travel Reduction
The estimated average miles traveled for the 2022-23 regular season has been reduced to 41,000 miles per team, a record low in the era with 30 teams and 82 games per team. This marks an estimated reduction of nearly 2,000 miles per team from last season’s previous all-time low of 43,000 miles traveled. In total, NBA teams are projected to travel more than 50,000 fewer miles than last season.
The instances with no travel between games for teams on the road have increased by 66% from last season (88 from 53). The 88 no-travel instances include 55 instances of teams playing consecutive road games against the same opponent and 33 instances of teams playing two games in a row in Los Angeles (against the Clippers and Lakers) or New York (against the Knicks and Nets).
Additional Schedule Highlights
All 30 teams are scheduled to make at least one appearance on TNT or ESPN in the 2022-23 regular season. The NBA on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV will present flexible scheduling throughout the regular season to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience.
TNT will air 18 Tuesday doubleheaders and 13 Thursday doubleheaders during the regular season, with each Thursday doubleheader taking place in January or later except for the one during opening week. ESPN will televise 21 Wednesday doubleheaders and 13 Friday doubleheaders. All primetime doubleheaders across TNT and ESPN will again be played at 7:30 p.m. ET/10 p.m. ET.
ABC will present 15 regular-season games across Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons (excluding Christmas Day). NBA TV will televise more than 100 live games during the regular season.
The 2023 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV and the 2023 Western Conference Finals will be exclusively televised by ABC and ESPN/ABC, respectively. TNT will exclusively televise the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City.
ESPN Radio will broadcast 25 games in the regular season, including Lakers vs. Warriors on opening night, Bucks vs. Celtics and Grizzlies vs. Warriors on Christmas Day, and Heat vs. Hawks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It will also provide coverage from NBA All-Star and the NBA Finals.
NBA League Pass will offer live, out-of-market games all season through the NBA App, NBA.com, connected televisions and TV providers. Fans can unlock direct access to stream matchups featuring their favorite teams and players with NBA League Pass (blackout restrictions apply). For more information, visit NBA.com/leaguepass.
The regular season will feature 45 games that will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as part of “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23.”
NBA games and programming are available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
About Zignia Live
Zignia Live is part of the Avalanz Group and is one of the main show promotion companies in Mexico and Latin America, ranking within the “Top 20” of the most active promoters in the world. Zignia Live is a content provider for important venues in Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Torreón, Tampico, Monterrey and offers unique and memorable experiences through the presentation of world-class live shows in the musical, artistic and sports fields.
NBA AND PLAYERS ASSOCIATION REINSTATE JALEN HARRIS
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 – The NBA and National Basketball Players Association today granted the application of Jalen Harris to be reinstated as an NBA player.
Pursuant to the CBA, on July 1, 2021, Harris had been dismissed and disqualified from the league for one year for testing positive for a prohibited substance under the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
As part of the NBA family’s support for civic engagement, no games are scheduled on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022
The NBA today announced that no games will be played on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. The scheduling decision came out of the NBA family’s focus on promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during midterm elections.
Over the next few months, teams will distribute information on their state’s voting process and voter registration deadlines and are encouraging everyone to communicate this information with families and friends to ensure they all have a plan. On Monday, November 7th, the league will use the platform of games played to amplify the work of each team to promote civic engagement in their respective markets and share important voting resources from our partners.
The full 2022-23 NBA schedule will be announced tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. ET.
BWB Africa will be held for the first time in Egypt in August |
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AUGUST 15, 2022CAIRO (Egypt) - FIBA, the NBA and the Egyptian Basketball Federation today announced that the 2022 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp will be held Sunday, Aug. 28 - Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo, Egypt. The 18th BWB Africa camp will mark the first time the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in Egypt and the first time on the continent since 2019 in Senegal. BWB Africa 2022 will bring together more than 60 of the top male and female players ages 18 and under from across Africa to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside the best young players on the continent. The campers and coaches will also take part in life skills, leadership development and community service programming. "It is great to see Basketball Without Borders return to Africa for this 18th edition," said FIBA National Federations & Sport Director, Zoran Radovic. "It is clear that the talent in this part of the world is strong, and we have seen some great players who have attended BWB camps rise up and become superstars. Together with the NBA, we are proud to help continue to build and strengthen basketball in Africa and provide these future players with skills they will use both on and off the court." "Basketball Without Borders is our flagship elite development camp in Africa, and we are delighted that the event is resuming on the continent for the first time in three years," said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams. "Since its launch in 2003, BWB Africa has provided a platform for top young players from Africa to develop and showcase their skills while continuing to grow the continent’s basketball ecosystem. We look forward to once again working with FIBA on this signature program and are excited to collaborate with the Egyptian Basketball Federation to bring this special event to Egypt for the first time." "We are delighted to host BWB for the first time in North Africa and Egypt," said Egyptian Basketball Federation President, Dr. Magdy Abo Frekha. "It’s a great honor to welcome the young talents of Africa to the land of the Pharaohs. In 2022, Cairo has hosted the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, Basketball Africa League, and now BWB, which gives us the feeling that basketball in Egypt is growing and flourishing. I want to thank NBA Africa and FIBA for their trust in Egypt’s capabilities to organize remarkable events." |
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 | | Dikembe Mutombo in Senegal for the last BWB Africa camp held in 2019 |
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A record 41 former BWB campers were among the record 121 international players on opening-night rosters for the 2021-22 NBA season, including 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012) and five-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011). The 2022 NBA Draft saw two former BWB Africa campers drafted into the NBA: Christian Koloko (No. 33 overall by the Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2017) and Khalifa Diop (No. 39 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers; Senegal; BWB Africa 2018). In total, 12 former BWB Africa campers have been drafted into the NBA since 2003. FIBA and the NBA have hosted 65 BWB camps in 30 countries since the program’s launch in 2001. BWB has reached more than 3,800 participants from 133 countries and territories, with 105 former campers drafted into the NBA and WNBA or signed as free agents. BWB Africa 2022 will be supported by Nike, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp. BWB Africa 2022 campers and coaches will be announced in the coming weeks. (Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images) |
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BILL RUSSELL’S NO. 6 JERSEY TO BE RETIRED THROUGHOUT NBA
– All NBA Players to Wear Commemorative Patch on Uniform and Every NBA Court to Display Special Logo as Tribute to Russell in 2022-23 Season –
NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2022 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league. The iconic Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer will be the first player to have his number retired across the NBA.
“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”
“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” said NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio. “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league.”
In addition to retiring Russell’s number, the NBA will pay tribute to the Boston Celtics’ legend throughout the 2022-23 season. All NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table. The Celtics, for whom Russell played his entire career and coached, will have a separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms, to be announced soon.
Russell’s jersey number, which he wore for his entire 13-season career from 1956-69, will not be issued again by any NBA team to any player. Players who currently wear No. 6 will be grandfathered.
Regarded as the ultimate winner and model teammate, Russell transformed the game with his dominant defense and graceful athleticism at the center position. He won a record 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, which followed back-to-back national championships at the University of San Francisco (1955 and 1956) and a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team (1956). Russell, who led Boston to eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959-66, was so synonymous with success that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was named for him in 2009.
His myriad accomplishments included five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA Team honors. Russell was named to all four NBA anniversary teams (25th, 35th, 50th and 75th) and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. A four-time NBA rebounding champion, he ranks second in league history in total rebounds (21,620) and rebounds per game (22.5) in the regular season. The Celtics retired his No. 6 jersey in 1972.
Russell’s impact on the NBA extended far beyond his playing achievements. In 1966, he was hired by the Celtics as the first Black head coach in the history of the NBA and major U.S. professional sports. As a player-head coach, he guided Boston to back-to-back NBA championships in 1968 and 1969.
During and after his extraordinary basketball career, Russell passionately advocated for the values of equality, respect and inclusion. He marched for civil rights with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and was steadfast in his belief that all people should be treated with dignity. Russell was awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his athletic feats and lifelong commitment to social justice.
TORONTO RAPTORS, BOSTON CELTICS AND UTAH JAZZ HEADLINE EIGHTH NBA CANADA SERIES PRESENTED BY BELL
- 2022 Preseason Games Will Feature Raptors vs. Jazz in Edmonton (Oct. 2) and Raptors vs. Celtics in Montreal (Oct. 14) -
- Fans Can Register for Exclusive Presale Ticket Access Now at NBA.com/CanadaSeries -
TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2022 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that the eighth NBA Canada Series presented by Bell will feature two preseason games in Edmonton and Montreal in October 2022, marking the first time the series will be held since 2019.
On Sunday, Oct. 2, the Toronto Raptors will take on the Utah Jazz at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, marking the first NBA Canada Series presented by Bell appearance for the Jazz and the first NBA game at Rogers Place. The Raptors currently feature 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam and 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, in addition to Quebec-natives Chris Boucher and Khem Birch and Toronto’s Dalano Banton. The Jazz currently feature three-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell and Canadian forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
On Friday, Oct. 14, the Raptors will face the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC, marking the second NBA Canada Series presented by Bell appearance for the Celtics in Montreal (2013) and the league’s sixth game in Montreal since 2012. The Celtics currently feature three-time NBA All-Star and 2021-22 All-NBA First Team member Jayson Tatum, 2020-21 NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown and 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
Fans in Canada can register for exclusive presale ticket access at NBA.com/CanadaSeries. Tickets for both games will go on sale Aug. 19 through Ticketmaster. In addition to presenting partner Bell, supporting partners of the NBA Canada Series include Hennessy (Montreal), Michelob Ultra, Nike and Tangerine.
The two games will mark the 10-year anniversary of the first NBA Canada Series presented by Bell game, which featured the Raptors and the New York Knicks playing a preseason game in Montreal in 2012. In total, 14 NBA teams have participated in 14 preseason games across five provinces as part of the NBA Canada Series presented by Bell, drawing a total attendance of more than a quarter of a million Canadians.
For more information, fans in Canada can follow the NBA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. A full range of official NBA merchandise is available at the NBA Store in Canada by visiting NBAStore.ca.
Executive and Player Quotes:
NBA Canada Managing Director Leah MacNab:
“As we approach 10 years since the first NBA Canada Series presented by Bell game, I am immensely proud of the positive impact this series continues to make on the Canadian basketball community – from first NBA experiences for fans and families, to hosting dozens of camps, community programs and court refurbishments, we appreciate the ongoing commitment of Bell and our teams to bring the thrill of live games to our dedicated fans across the country.
Bell Vice-President Brand & Sponsorship, David Kennedy:
“As a proud partner of both the Toronto Raptors and the league, we’re excited to bring the live NBA experience back to fans in Edmonton and Montréal. In addition to the games, our sponsorship of NBA Canada Series will include Bell for Better initiatives that will connect communities and inspire change through basketball.”
Toronto Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster:
“It’s so good to once again be able to play in front of our fans across Canada. We’re looking forward to returning to Montreal, and to playing at Rogers Place in Edmonton for the first time. It’s a fantastic reminder, as we begin a new season, that we are Canada’s team, and we look forward to making Raptors fans proud, no matter where they are cheering from.”
Boston Celtics President Rich Gotham:
“We’re excited to bring Celtics basketball to fans in Montreal as part of NBA Canada Series. We applaud the NBA’s continued commitment to growing the game globally.”
Utah Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik:
“We’re excited to be featured in the preseason NBA Canada Series. It is a unique opportunity for our organization to engage with the league's Canadian fans in Edmonton. Our players and staff are looking forward to it."
NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF BILL RUSSELL NEW YORK, July 31, 2022 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Bill Russell: “Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports. The countless accolades that he earned for his storied career with the Boston Celtics – including a record 11 championships and five MVP awards – only begin to tell the story of Bill’s immense impact on our league and broader society. “Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps. Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. “For nearly 35 years since Bill completed his trailblazing career as the league’s first Black head coach, we were fortunate to see him at every major NBA event, including the NBA Finals, where he presented the Bill Russell Trophy to the Finals MVP. “I cherished my friendship with Bill and was thrilled when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I often called him basketball’s Babe Ruth for how he transcended time. Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Jeannine, his family and his many friends.”
| Las subcampeonas Cangrejeras de Santurce estrenarán una nueva administración en la venidera temporada del Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino (BSNF). El otrora apoderado de las Explosivas de Moca, Gabriel Vázquez, fue aprobado para asumir la administración de la franquicia capitalina a partir del torneo 2022, que inicia el 8 de octubre con la visita de las crustáceas a las campeonas Gigantes de Carolina. Vázquez adquiere la franquicia de manos del empresario Carlos Maldonado, quien entró al BSNF en el 2011. En su primera experiencia como apoderado, Vázquez recibió la distinción de ejecutivo del año 2019. Es Presidente y CEO de Task Force, una firma dedicada al servicio de investigaciones y guardias de seguridad. Adicional, fue presidente de la Nueva Liga Pote de Moca durante tres años. Vázquez cedió este año la administración del quinteto de Moca a Andros Álvarez Ramos. Las Cangrejeras han logrado el subcampeonato en las dos pasadas temporada, lidereadas por la armadora boricua Dayshalee Salamán. MANATÍ YA CUENTA CON DOS DE SUS IMPORTADAS Las Atenienses de Manatí confirmaron el regreso de Kathryn Westbeld como una de sus refuerzos para el venidero torneo. Junto a ella también estará reforzando Adaora Elonu, hermana del importado de los Capitanes de Arecibo, Chinemelu Elonu. Manatí será dirigido por Fernando Casablanca, quien ganó la distinción de Dirigente del Año 2021 al frente de las Bravas de Cidra. MOROVIS Y LARES CON DIRIGENTES NOMBRADOS El técnico Jorge Otero permanecerá en el puesto de dirigente de las Montañeras de Morovis en el venidero campeonato 2022. Otero estará acompañado por Zuleimarie Sánchez, Francisco Soto y Daniel Velázquez en el cuerpo técnico. Por su parte, las Patriotas de Lares confirmaron a Aníbal Soto como el mandamás del debutante quinteto. Sus asistentes serán Glenda Negrón, Josué Alvarado y Ricardo Medina. ÚLTIMOS DÍAS DE INSCRIPCIONES PARA EL SORTEO Las inscripciones para el Sorteo de Nuevo Ingreso 2022 llegarán a su fin el próximo domingo 31 de julio. Para formar parte del Sorteo de Nuevo Ingreso 2022 la jugadora debe haber nacido en o antes del 1 de enero de 2004 en Puerto Rico. De haber nacido fuera de Puerto Rico, esta debe ser hija o nieta de una persona nacida en Puerto Rico y someter la debida documentación para evidenciarlo. Si la jugadora no cumple la regla de elegibilidad como puertorriqueña, puede entrar al BSNF si estableció en Puerto Rico su lugar de residencia por no menos de tres (3) años anteriores al comienzo del torneo en el cual está solicitando participar. Aquellas jugadoras interesadas en participar podrán llenar la hoja de inscripción en la página web del organismo, www.bsnfpur.com/draft2022. Para mayor información pueden escribir un correo electrónico a info@bsnfpur.com o llamar al (787) 726-1526. |
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