NBA Rivals Week 2023: Top 5 most exciting matchups as league debuts new concept
NBA Rivals Week was a highly awaited concept when the league released its 2022-23 schedule back in August. Rivals Week is a five-day spectacle that will pit several teams who have had history with each other, one way or the other.
From Tuesday, Jan. 24 to Saturday, Jan. 28, a slate of mouthwatering games will be on national TV to hype up the NBA even more. Catching the action inside arenas will be the best way to consume the games, but they can also be enjoyed via ESPN, TNT, ABC and NBA TV.
On that note, here are five of the most interesting matchups that should keep basketball fans riveted during NBA Rivals Week:
#5 Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves (Jan. 27)
Heading into their matchup on Jan. 27, the visiting Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves are tied at 1-1 in their season series. The two teams had a very testy series in the first round of the playoffs last season.
The Timberwolves look vastly different from the team that the Grizzlies eliminated last postseason, but there’s always something to look forward to when they meet. Anytime Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards are on the same floor, fireworks are never far away.
Give me Ja Morant versus Anthony Edwards for the next ten years.
Memphis is neck-and-neck with the Denver Nuggets for the best record in the Western Conference. They’ll be looking to keep up with Nikola Jokic’s team when they meet the Timberwolves. Minnesota, on the other hand, is desperately trying to get to the sixth spot to avoid the play-in.
#4 LA Clippers vs LA Lakers (Jan. 24)
This hasn’t been much of a rivalry over the past few years. The LA Clippers have been mopping the streets of Hollywood with their more illustrious fellow Crypto.com tenant, the LA Lakers.
Ty Lue, since taking over the head coaching job for Steve Ballmer’s team, hasn’t lost to the Jeanie Buss-owned franchise in nine games.
Last season, the LA Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard for their four-game series with the Lakers and had Paul George in just two of them. They still went undefeated. The 2022-23 campaign hasn’t been different either.
"Lakers ain't even the best team in LA. The Clippers are mopping the streets of LA with the Los Angeles Lakers!"
—@stephenasmith thinks the Lakers still have a lot to prove next season 🤔 https://t.co/rXWgKXYqFg
LeBron James and crew have lost two straight in the “Hallway Series” of NBA Rivals Week.