{
  "id": 1027351,
  "title": "6 NBA teams screwed over by the schedule release",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/6-nba-teams-screwed-over-by-the-schedule-release",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T12:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SB Nation",
    "slug": "sb-nation",
    "url": "https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1124980/nba-teams-hardest-schedules-bulls-lakers-celtics-news"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026-27 NBA schedule has been released, and it has hit six teams particularly hard. The Boston Celtics, with 16 back-to-back games, face one of the most grueling schedules in the league. They play 22 times in a stretch of three games in four nights, ranking eighth hardest overall. The New Orleans Pelicans also have a tough road, with the hardest schedule in the NBA. They are set to play 16 back-to-backs and have 27 'three in four nights' stretches, leading to a -5 net rest disadvantage. The Chicago Bulls, with 15 back-to-backs, face 24 stretches of three games in four nights and rank fourth hardest in net rest. The Cleveland Cavaliers tied for the league-leading 16 back-to-backs, with 23 'three in four nights' games, and a -2 net rest advantage. Lastly, the Dallas Mavericks also have a challenging schedule, with 16 back-to-backs, a -3 net rest advantage, and will need to manage Kyrie Irving's return from an ACL injury.",
  "summary": "The idea of playing a balanced schedule is a rarity in American professional sports. An NFL team that finishes in first place in their division one year draws other first-place teams on the schedule the next year. NHL calendars lean heavily on divisional matchups and regional rivalries. MLB moved to a more balanced schedule in […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Boston Celtics face 16 back-to-back games",
    "New Orleans Pelicans have hardest schedule",
    "Cleveland Cavaliers tied for league-leading back-to-backs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}