Key October 2023 dates as Rockets open training camp,…

Key October 2023 dates as Rockets open training camp, preseason, regular season

To kick off activities for the 2023-24 NBA season, the Rockets will hold their annual media day on Monday, Oct. 2, at the team’s Toyota Center home arena in downtown Houston.

Media day generally consists of press conference interviews with the franchise’s general manager, head coach, and numerous players regarding their outlook for the new season.

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For the 2023-24 Rockets, that will mark the first media availability with offseason signings Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, and it will also be the first time that general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka have taken questions since Kevin Porter Jr.’s arrest.

The team typically live streams the event for fans to watch, though details for that option have not yet been released by the Rockets.

The following day, training camp opens in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The general idea is a non-traditional location can be a team bonding experience, both during practice hours and off the court.

A week later, the preseason begins on Tuesday, Oct. 10 with a home game versus Indiana. Just over two weeks after that is the Oct. 25 regular-season opener in Orlando, along with a corresponding deadline for roster cuts in the hours leading up to tipoff.

In all, it’s a whirlwind month for Udoka and his new-look Rockets. Here’s a look at the key dates and deadlines.

Monday, Oct. 2: Media Day

Media Day starts at 11 a.m. Central from Toyota Center. Live streaming will be available from Rockets.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 3: Training camp opens

Training camp will open on Oct. 3 at McNeese State University’s Legacy Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It will not be streamed, but credentialed media members will have access for interviews and potentially some practice footage.

Sunday, Oct. 8: Open practice for fans

Open practice details

Tuesday, Oct. 10: Preseason Game 1 vs. Indiana

Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday, Oct. 10: home vs. Pacers
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Thursday, Oct. 12: Preseason game at New Orleans

Thursday, Oct. 12: at Pelicans (in Birmingham, Alabama)
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV: TBD

Monday, Oct. 16: Preseason game at San Antonio

Monday, Oct. 16: at Spurs
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Wednesday, Oct. 18: Preseason game at San Antonio

Wednesday, Oct. 18: at Spurs
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Friday, Oct. 20: Preseason finale vs. Miami

Friday, Oct. 20: home vs. Heat
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Monday, Oct. 23: Rosters set for regular season

The deadline for all NBA teams to trim their expanded offseason rosters to a maximum of 15 players and three two-way contracts is at 4 p.m. Central. Based on 2022-23 records, Houston will be tied with San Antonio for second on the league’s waiver claim order, should the Rockets want to add any player who was released by another team.