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The San Antonio Spurs released their 82-game regular-season schedule today, so start planning your life accordingly.
Last season fans had to wait until late January to finally watch San Antonio and Golden State in action. That won't be the case next season, with the Spurs kicking off their season at Oracle on Tuesday, October 25th. It'll be their only meeting in Oakland, with two more (Mar 11 and 29) scheduled at the AT&T Center.
The Spurs will once again be playing on Christmas Day (I really liked the uniforms that were rolled out last year), this time at home against Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and the Chicago Bulls. That still sounds weird to me.
On January 14th, the Spurs and Suns will play in Mexico City against the Phoenix Suns. Fans will recall that San Antonio was scheduled to play there in 2013 against Minnesota, but the game was postponed shortly before tipoff due to a generator malfunction.
A week later, the Spurs visit LeBron James and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who will make their only trip to San Antonio on March 27th.
The annual Rodeo Road Trip kicks off on February 6th in Memphis, rolling on through Philadelphia (Feb 8), Detroit (Feb 10), New York (Feb 12), Indiana (Feb 13), Orlando (Feb 15), and concluding after the All-Star break in Los Angeles for a double-header against the Clippers (Feb 24) and Lakers (Feb 26). They play again at home on March 1st against the Pacers. As Michael Wright notes, the RRT is eight games this year instead of the usual nine.
Back-to-backs are always an interesting figure to track and, as Jeff McDonald noted, the Spurs have 15 next season, down from 17 in 2015-16.
The team closes out the regular season on a two-game road trip that could have important playoff ramifications: April 10th at Portland and April 12th at Utah.
Here are a few early reactions from Spurs Twitter:
First game of #Spurs post-Tim Duncan era will begin Oct. 26 at Oracle Arena against Warriors. Might as well get tested early, eh?
— Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) August 11, 2016
It is kind of weird the Spurs travel to Oakland for opening night and then not again unless they meet in the playoffs.
— Michael Erler (@MichaelErlerSBN) August 11, 2016
Here's a long list of marquee games for the Spurs this season. Basketball needs to come back ASAP. pic.twitter.com/QBIIegglQv
— Quixem Ramirez (@quixem) August 11, 2016
As often happens, Spurs' season front-loaded with away games. After RRT, finish with 16 of final 24 at AT&T center.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) August 11, 2016
Some quick schedule highlights from @JMcDonald_SAEN Spurs get Durant, Warriors to open 2016-17 season https://t.co/m2iESL4PV6 via @mySA
— Nick Moyle (@NRMoyle) August 11, 2016
It's still a few months away, but NBA basketball will be back before we know it.