Short End of the Stick: Which Teams Are the Biggest Losers of the 2026-27 NBA Schedule?
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- The NBA schedule inherently creates disparities, with some teams facing more challenging stretches such as back-to-back games and condensed travel, which can impact performance and player health.
- Five teams—the Celtics, Pelicans, Nets, Cavaliers, and Mavericks—are tied for the most back-to-back games this season at 16, a taxing schedule element that often leads to resting key players and competitive disadvantages.
- The Celtics face a particularly tough November, with six back-to-back games including multiple road trips and three instances of playing three games in four nights, testing their ability to build team chemistry early in the season.
- The New Orleans Pelicans have the most grueling schedule, with 27 games in three games over four nights stretches and the worst rest advantage in the league, playing 13 games with less rest than their opponents.
- The New York Knicks have a challenging December ahead, with a heavy road schedule including potential extended trips due to the NBA Cup, which could see them playing nearly three straight weeks mostly away from home.
