NBA fans looking for the NBA schedule for this week are catching the transition from offseason preparation to preseason action. Training camps open on September 29, and the first scheduled preseason game arrives on October 3. There are no regular-season games in this weekly window; the regular season begins October 20.
This edition uses Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4, 2026 on the NBA’s Eastern Time calendar. Philippine dates are shown separately because evening games in North America usually start the next morning here. Schedule information was checked on September 29, 2026. This is a dated weekly article; use our NBA games page and the official NBA schedule for later updates.
NBA Games This Week: September 28–October 4
The week begins with preparation and ends with preseason games. Here are the upcoming fixtures and their Philippine viewing times.
| Date (ET) | NBA schedule | Status / ET tipoff | Philippine Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Sept. 28 | No NBA games | Preseason preparation | — |
| Tue, Sept. 29 | No NBA games | Training camps open | — |
| Wed, Sept. 30 | No NBA games | Training camp | — |
| Thu, Oct. 1 | No NBA games | Training camp | — |
| Fri, Oct. 2 | No NBA games | Training camp | — |
| Sat, Oct. 3 | Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors | Preseason · 7:00 p.m. ET | Sun, Oct. 4 · 7:00 a.m. PHT |
| Sun, Oct. 4 | Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers | Preseason · 7:00 p.m. ET | Mon, Oct. 5 · 7:00 a.m. PHT |
Sources checked September 29: NBA key dates, Heat–Raptors game page and Clippers team schedule. Tipoff times remain subject to change.
For the Philippine calendar week ending October 4, Heat–Raptors is the Sunday morning viewing date. Warriors–Clippers belongs to Monday morning, October 5, in the Philippines. Read our NBA game times in the Philippines guide if you are comparing an American schedule with your local calendar.
What NBA Fans Should Watch Before the Games
Training camp provides the first useful look at how teams intend to use their squads. Watch for confirmed availability, starting-lineup experiments and changes in player roles. An impressive practice clip is interesting, but it does not establish a regular-season rotation.
Use the quieter weekdays to check team announcements and prepare your viewing schedule. Our NBA player highlights article explains what to look for beyond scoring clips, including defense, playmaking and consistency.
Top NBA Games to Watch Next
The following watchlist combines this weekend’s preseason fixtures with Opening Night later in October. The October 20 games are upcoming regular-season games, outside this week’s schedule.
1. Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors — October 3 ET
7:00 p.m. ET / October 4, 7:00 a.m. PHT. The NBA Canada Game takes place at Videotron Centre in Quebec City. The Raptors’ schedule lists NBA TV; Philippine viewers should confirm local access before tipoff. See the Raptors schedule listing.
This is the first preseason checkpoint. Watch how the teams distribute minutes and which combinations share the floor. The result does not count toward regular-season standings, and star-player appearances or minutes should not be assumed.
2. Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers — October 4 ET
7:00 p.m. ET / October 5, 7:00 a.m. PHT. The teams meet in Honolulu at the Stan Sheriff Center. This game offers another early look at rotations and conditioning. Use the official team schedule to recheck the time, rather than treating promotional artwork as a timetable.
3. Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons — October 20 ET
3:00 p.m. ET / October 21, 3:00 a.m. PHT. Boston and Detroit open the regular-season slate. Filipino viewers planning to watch live will need an early start.
4. Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks — October 20 ET
7:00 p.m. ET / October 21, 7:00 a.m. PHT. New York hosts Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden, with the Knicks’ championship-banner celebration adding to the occasion. It is a date to save for later in the month.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs — October 20 ET
9:30 p.m. ET / October 21, 9:30 a.m. PHT. This matchup completes the opening-day tripleheader. All three October 20 games are listed for NBC/Peacock in the United States in the NBA’s official schedule release; Philippine viewing options require a separate local check.
Must-Watch Game of the Week
Our viewing pick is Heat–Raptors, because it brings preseason basketball back into this week’s window. For Philippine fans, it is a Sunday morning game.
Focus on how the teams play rather than reading too much into the final score. Preseason rotations can change quickly, and a player who starts one exhibition game may have a different role once the regular season begins. Our NBA preseason odds article adds context for readers following exhibition markets.
Players and Storylines to Watch
Team preparation is the main storyline: who is available, how new personnel fit and which young players receive meaningful minutes. Check official team reports before deciding that a player will appear in a preseason game.
When watching, pay attention to the lineups around a player, the opposition on the floor and the length of each stint. A short scoring burst against reserves is different evidence from sustained production against a starting unit. Combine highlights with the full box score and game context.
If you are researching NBA odds prediction, treat these observations as early information. A schedule, a highlight or a preseason result cannot guarantee a betting outcome.
Best Games by Day for Philippine Viewers
- Monday, September 28 through Saturday, October 3: follow training-camp news while waiting for the first preseason tipoff.
- Sunday, October 4: Heat at Raptors, 7:00 a.m. PHT.
- Next Monday, October 5: Warriors at Clippers, 7:00 a.m. PHT.
For these October fixtures, Philippine Time is 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time. That difference changes when the United States leaves daylight saving time, so avoid applying the same offset to every date throughout the season.
Where to Watch NBA Games
Start with the game listing in the NBA App or on NBA.com, then check the options available in your location. NBA League Pass is a viewing option for Philippine fans, but access depends on the game, location and subscription. Check availability before purchasing a plan.
The U.S. regular-season schedule includes ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video. A U.S. broadcaster listed beside a game does not by itself confirm that the same service will show it in the Philippines. Consult your local television or streaming provider and the NBA League Pass help page.
NBA Odds Betting provides basketball schedules, market education and matchup context. Use its NBA schedule page alongside official game listings when planning what to watch.
Quick NBA Schedule Summary
- Edition: September 28–October 4, 2026, using NBA Eastern Time dates.
- Weekend viewing: preseason returns; the regular season has not started.
- Philippine date to save this week: Sunday morning’s Heat–Raptors game.
- Next viewing date: Warriors–Clippers on Monday morning in the Philippines.
- Main storyline: training-camp preparation becoming on-court rotations.
- Later this month: Opening Night in the United States falls on October 21 for Philippine viewers.
FAQ: NBA Schedule for This Week
What NBA games are on this week?
For September 28–October 4, 2026 on the NBA’s Eastern Time calendar, the weekend fixtures are Heat at Raptors on October 3 and Warriors at Clippers on October 4. In Philippine Time, they begin October 4 and October 5, respectively.
What is the best NBA game to watch this week?
Our viewing pick is Heat at Raptors, the preseason opener. It is scheduled for Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 a.m. Philippine Time. Check player availability and the official listing before tipoff.
What time do NBA games start in the Philippines?
Times vary by matchup. The two preseason fixtures highlighted here are listed at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, which converts to 7:00 a.m. PHT on the following day. Use the specific date and timezone for each game.
Where can I watch NBA games this week?
Check the NBA game listing and your Philippine television or streaming provider. NBA League Pass may be an option depending on the game, location and subscription. A U.S. broadcast listing does not confirm Philippine availability.
Are there any major NBA rivalries this week?
This edition focuses on preseason preparation rather than a regular-season rivalry slate. Heat–Raptors and Warriors–Clippers offer early looks at team rotations, while the regular season starts later in October.
Is this page updated automatically every week?
No. This is the September 29, 2026 edition covering September 28–October 4. For subsequent weeks, consult the official NBA schedule and confirm your local date and time.
Schedule Sources and Updates
Checked on . Philippine times are conversions of the listed Eastern times. This dated article does not update automatically.
- NBA key dates — training-camp and season milestones.
- NBA Heat–Raptors game page — October 3 fixture and tipoff.
- NBA Clippers team schedule — Warriors fixture and listed time.
- NBA Communications schedule release — Opening Night fixtures and U.S. broadcasters.
Always recheck the official listing close to tipoff for postponements, time changes and viewing availability.
