LOS ANGELES: The Golden State Warriors will be chasing their fifth title since 2015 when the new NBA campaign tips off on Tuesday after one of the most turbulent off-seasons in years.
The Warriors, who returned to the pinnacle of basketball in June with an NBA Finals series victory over the Boston Celtics, open the defense of their title in San Francisco against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Celtics, meanwhile, host the Philadelphia 76ers in the other opening fixture of the 82-game regular season that reaches its conclusion next April.
The Warriors embark on their campaign under a cloud of locker-room discontent. The franchise was plunged into turmoil earlier this month after it emerged that defensive star Draymond Green had punched out teammate Jordan Poole in practice.