Report: Lakers-Nuggets highlights NBA's opening night doubleheader
The NBA will kick off the 2023-24 campaign with a pair of blockbuster Western Conference tilts on October 24.
The defending champion Denver Nuggets will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a conference finals rematch, while the Golden State Warriors will host the Phoenix Suns in the other opening night matchup, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Denver swept Los Angeles in the West finals en route to the franchise's first NBA title. The Lakers simply had no answer for Nikola Jokic, who averaged 27.8 points, 14.5 boards, 11.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks over a dominant four-game showing.
The Nuggets split their four regular-season meetings against LeBron James and Co.
Meanwhile, Chris Paul will take on the Suns for the first time since being dealt by the club this offseason. Phoenix sent the future Hall of Famer to the Washington Wizards as part of the Bradley Beal trade. Paul was subsequently shipped to the Bay Area in exchange for Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and two draft picks.
Paul spent three campaigns in the desert after being acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in November 2020 and led the Suns to their first Finals appearance since 1993 during his first year in Phoenix. The 38-year-old also helped the team collect a franchise-record 64 wins in 2021-22 despite the injuries that plagued him in his last two seasons with the club.
Meanwhile, Beal is set to make his Suns debut after an 11-year stint in the nation's capital. Injuries have also slowed Beal down in recent years, but he brings even more firepower to an explosive offense that already features Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.