NBA schedule release: Winners & losers, including rookies, monster slates and some questionable decisions

The time has come. The NBA has officially dropped its 2026-27 regular-season schedule. As with anything in life, there are winners and losers — let’s dive in. 

Winner: The Villain. And by proxy, all villainous people

Look, I’m a big fan of a good social media product. Russell Westbrook called it quits on a fruitful 18-year career and did so with aplomb, a beautifully crafted mini-movie highlighting all the best parts of his time in the NBA. 

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I’m also a fan of removing all of the pomp and circumstance and getting right to brass tacks with a schedule release, as well. And who better to do this with than Suns wing Dillon Brooks? Phoenix’s social-media release was a hilarious breath of fresh air, a reminder that, yes, all 30 teams in fact do play against each other. Brooks, who looks anything but camera-ready, balls up the script, throws it at the camera and declares, “We play everyone,” before staring directly at the camera in a manner similar to his trademark pregame ritual. It’s obvious. It’s brilliant. 

Winner: Key & Peele enthusiasts

I’m sure most of you are familiar with comedians/actors Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele, and their old hit sketch comedy show, “Key & Peele.” If not, get hip to it. For those that do remember the series, you’ll immediately recall the infamous Substitute Teacher skit, featuring an enraged Key charged with taking attendance of his class. The only issue is Key is unable to pronounce anyone’s name. 

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Introducing the Dallas Mavericks’ social-media schedule release. Adding current players Dereck Lively and Max Christie to the scene — with some of the students wearing opponent team gear — was the icing on the cake in their homage to the original. Bravo. 

Loser: Opening Night

Is anyone going to say it? 

It’s one thing for the league to pivot to an earlier start time (much earlier) to kick off the regular season. But you can’t have the reason you do — which involves the European market and its primetime viewing slot — and present the international basketball fanbase with Celtics-Pistons. No disrespect to either franchise, both of whom won 56-plus games…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-schedule-release-winners–losers-including-rookies-monster-slates-and-some-questionable-decisions-003738142.html

Author : Kelly Iko

Publish date : 2026-08-14 00:37:00

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