'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAQACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAICAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABAUGMRIBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEGEQABBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIDBBEhIlFh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDMXhNHnnrz86XTglgg6CIn7W2qRaIJFXQYgZH2/CedXbnCxbCqJXpRsSUBfz7jGFDnbnDtgAaKohFG6pCSxpPeB6v/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When the NBA released its schedule for the 2022-2023 NBA season, one thing that stood out was the addition of “NBA Rivals Week.” This is a new slate of marquee games featuring matchups between teams with both classic and up-and-coming rivalries.
NBA Rivals Week is now almost here and is set to kick off on Tuesday, Jan. 24. It will take place over the span of five days and will conclude on Saturday, Jan. 28. The 11 rivalry games will be broadcast on national TV on four different networks, including TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV.
On that note, here are the matchups that will be featured in this year’s debut of NBA Rivals Week.
NBA Rivals Week 2023 matchups
Tuesday, Jan. 24 (TNT)
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (7:30 ET)
The first game of NBA Rivals Week features a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference finals. Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics defeated Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in seven games to advance to last year’s NBA Finals.
However, the rivalry also dates back to the early 2010s when Miami’s Big Three teams, led by LeBron James, battled against Boston’s Big Three teams led by Paul Pierce.
LA Clippers at LA Lakers (10:00 ET)
The next game will feature the "Battle of LA" with Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers taking on LeBron James and the LA Lakers. Traditionally, the Lakers have had the upper hand in this matchup. However, the Clippers have asserted their dominance of late and have won nine straight games against the Lakers.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 (ESPN)
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 ET)
Wednesday’s first NBA Rivals Week game will feature a matchup between two teams that made a blockbuster trade last season.
James Harden will face off against his former team, the Brooklyn Nets, while Ben Simmons will take on his former team, the Philadelphia Sixers. The game will mark Simmons’ second career game versus Philly (0-1).
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (10:00 ET)
Wednesday’s second game will feature a rematch of a budding playoff rivalry. Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies will take on Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors most recently dispatched the Grizzlies in six games in last year’s Western Conference semifinals.
Thursday, Jan. 26 (TNT)
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets (7:30 ET)
Thursday’s first game was supposed to feature a matchup between the Ball brothers.
Unfortunately, Lonzo Ball is yet to play a game this season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball just recently re-injured his left ankle on Wednesday night versus the Houston Rockets. So there is a decent chance that neither brother will appear in the matchup.
Lonzo still has a 2-1 head-to-head record against LaMelo in the all-time head-to-head.
Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks (10:00 ET)
In another playoff rematch, the Phoenix Suns will be taking on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The two teams contested last season’s Western Conference semifinals, in which Dallas blew out the one-seeded Suns by 33 points in Game 7.
Friday, Jan. 27 (NBA TV)
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 ET)
Friday’s first NBA Rivals Week game will feature a matchup between two of the NBA’s most exciting high-flying young guards in Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards.
It will also mark a rematch of last year’s Western Conference first-round matchup. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games on that occasion.
Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors (10:00 ET)
Friday’s second game will feature a rematch of the 2019 NBA Finals. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to win their first-ever NBA title in 2019. In doing so, they deprived the Warriors of a chance at achieving an elusive three-peat.
Saturday, Jan. 28 (ABC)
Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers (3:00 ET)
Saturday’s first game will feature a matchup between the two best big men in the NBA right now in Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Embiid has a 4-2 record against Jokic in all-time head-to-head matchups.
New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets (5:30 ET)
Saturday’s second game will feature the "Battle of the Boroughs" as the New York Knicks take on the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets have won eight straight games versus New York.
LA Lakers at Boston Celtics (8:30 ET)
The final game of NBA Rivals Week will feature the NBA’s most famous rivalry in a matchup between its two most esteemed franchises. The Boston Celtics and LA Lakers are tied for the most NBA Championships with 17 apiece.
Boston notably has a 9-3 head-to-head record against LA in the NBA Finals.
