The 2022–23 NBA season marked a return to normalcy and new honors
In short: Beyond the high-stakes battles on the court, the 77th NBA season brought significant structural changes. From the introduction of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy to the return of international regular season games, the league underwent a period of rebranding and procedural shifts that redefined how the game is celebrated and watched.
The 2022–23 season, which ran from October 18, 2022, to April 9, 2023, saw the return of several key traditions. Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA Global Games returned to the regular season schedule for the first time in nearly three years. Additionally, the free agency period returned to its standard July 1 start date, following a season where the playoffs ended in June due to pandemic-related shifts.
The league also introduced several significant changes to its awards and recognition systems. A new trophy, the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, was established to honor the team with the best overall regular season record, named after the commissioner who served from 1946 to 1963. This coincided with the renaming of the MVP trophy to honor Michael Jordan. Furthermore, the league introduced the Clutch Player of the Year Award, named after Jerry West, and updated the names of several existing trophies to honor legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, and John Havlicek.
On the court, the postseason structure included a play-in tournament held between April 11 and April 14, 2023, to determine the final seeds. The playoffs ultimately concluded on June 12, 2023, when the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to secure the championship. This season also saw notable retirements from veterans like Carmelo Anthony, who played 19 seasons and earned 10 All-Star honors, and LaMarcus Aldridge, who concluded a 16-year career featuring seven All-Star selections.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2022–23 NBA season
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