PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers released their preseason schedule for the 2022-23 season, which includes a game in Seattle against the Los Angeles Clippers in October.
Seattle hasn't had an NBA team since Clay Bennett, the franchise's new owner, moved the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City and renamed the team 14 years ago. The Sonics played in Seattle from 1967 until 2008.
But the NBA will make a one-night return to Seattle when Blazers face the Clippers on Monday, Oct. 3 at Climate Pledge Arena, formerly KeyArena, the former home of the Sonics. In the neutral-court game, the NBA has designated the Clippers as the home team.
This is the first NBA game played in Seattle since an NBA preseason game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings in 2018.
ESPN reports that Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who coached together in Los Angeles before Billups was hired by the Blazers, came up with the idea to play the game in Seattle. The game is being called the "Rain City Showcase."
The Blazers will play four other preseason games. Following the Oct. 3 game against the Clippers, Portland plays two home games against the Utah Jazz and international team Maccabi Haifa, followed by two road games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors to close out the preseason slate.
Here's a look at the preseason schedule:
- Monday, Oct. 3: at L.A. Clippers, 7 p.m., Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
- Tuesday, Oct. 4: vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m., Moda Center
- Thursday, Oct. 6: vs. Maccabi Haifa, 7 p.m., Moda Center
- Sunday, Oct. 9: at Sacramento, 6 p.m., Golden 1 Center
- Tuesday, Oct. 11: at Golden State, 7:30 p.m., Chase Center
