Early Start, Changing Divisions Highlight Skyforce Schedule

An expanded G League has complicated the calculus behind assembling a fifty-game schedule. Gone are the days of every team playing each opponent at least once.

When examining the Sioux Falls Skyforce schedule specifically, the matchups within the division and conference carry additional freight. Plus the postseason has sprouted an additional round to reflect the G League’s augmentation.

Sioux Falls continues to reside in the Western Conference, but the divisional alignment has changed. Along with the Skyforce in the Midwest Division are the Iowa Wolves (formerly the Energy), the Oklahoma City Blue and the expansion Memphis Hustle.

Teams within the division are scheduled to play against each other four times. They will also play most other teams in the conference three times. Each team will also get eight games against teams from the other conference. The schedule for G League Showcase which has not been released yet will alter that slightly one way or the other.

One other notable change in schedule coincides with movement in the NBA schedule to start the season a week earlier. That means the draft, training camps and the season will begin sooner in the G League as well.

The Skyforce will tipoff the season November 4 at the Memphis Hustle. Previously the earliest season start was November 8, 1991.

Postseason format has also undergone wholesale changes. Six teams from each conference will qualify. The top two would receive a bye while seeds three through six square off in a one-game knockout round. That single-game format will continue until a conference champion is determined. Then the Finals will be a three-game affair with the wrinkle of the top seed hosting Game one and Game three (if necessary).

The when and where is set. Questions of who will be in uniform as the games begin will not be answered for a couple months. See the full Skyforce schedule here.

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