NBA

The 2023-24 season will tip off in Denver, where the defending champion Nuggets will raise a banner to the rafters of Ball Arena for the first time in team history before playing the Los Angeles Lakers.  The league released its schedule for next season on a special episode of ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Thursday afternoon.  Denver’s title defense will begin Tuesday, Oct. 24, against the team it vanquished in the Western Conference finals. In what will be the 21st season of LeBron James‘ legendary career, the Lakers hope to return to the Finals for the first time since winning the title in 2020.  Atlanta and Charlotte will kick off their regular season the next day playing each other as the Hawks will travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets on Wednesday October 25th.