<P> The 2017 -- 18 NBA season is the 72nd season of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) . The regular season began on October 17 , 2017 , earlier than previous seasons to reduce the number of `` back - to - back '' games teams are scheduled to play , with the 2017 runners - up Cleveland Cavaliers hosted a game against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland , Ohio . Christmas games will be played on December 25 . The 2018 NBA All - Star Game will be played on February 18 , 2018 , at the Staples Center in Los Angeles , California . The regular season will end on April 11 , 2018 and the playoffs will begin on April 14 , 2018 . </P>
when does the first nba basketball game start
October 17 , 2017