The full reveal of the NBA schedule didn’t used to be a spectacle which garnered much interest from Gonzaga fans. Occasionally you’d see hype for the 1-2 games per year where former Zags were pitted against each other, but at the time it wasn’t even a guarantee those players would be on the floor for much, if any, of the upcoming game.

That is far from the case currently, as multiple teams are now employing at least two different Gonzaga alumni, and for a time last year the Washington Wizards had three Zags on the roster.

The quantity of Zags in the NBA has increased significantly in the past decade, but so too has the quality. From two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, to high quality role players like Kelly Olynyk and Corey Kispert, and young exciting potential stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Suggs, the NBA season is going to feature quite a few must watch games for fans of Mark Few’s program.

Here is a look at eight matchups fans should be marking in their calendar, and what about each contest makes them appealing to Zag Nation.

(Note: Obviously roster movement can and will happen, so these games are chosen operating with the rosters we have available on August 17)

October 19, 2022: Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards

Significance: Andrew Nembhard’s NBA debut

Notes: Nembhard makes his NBA debut against a Washington team featuring Corey Kispert and Rui Hachimura

Time: 4:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 10/28, 12/9, 2/11

October 19, 2022: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Significance: Chet Holmgren’s NBA debut

Key Matchup: Holmgren vs. Rudy Gobert

Time: 5:00 PM PT

October 27, 2022: Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings

Significance: Brandon Clarke and Killian Tillie vs. Domantas Sabonis

Key Matchup: Clarke vs. Sabonis

Time: 7:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 11/22, 1/1, 1/23

November 1, 2022: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic

Significance: Chet Holmgren vs. Jalen Suggs (former HS teammates)

Key Matchup: Chet Holmgren vs. Paolo Banchero

Time: 4:30 PM PT

Other matchups: 1/4

November 6, 2022: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards

Significance: Four Zags could/will likely play (Clarke, Tillie, Kispert, Hachimura)

Key Matchup: Clarke vs. Hachimura

Time: 3:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 11/13

November 19, 2022: Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers

Significance: Jalen Suggs vs. Andrew Nembhard

Notes: Both starters on Gonzaga’s 2021 NCAA Championship runner-up

Time: 4:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 11/21, 1/25, 2/25

November 30, 2022: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs

Significance: Chet Holmgren vs. Zach Collins

Notes: Battle of the one-and-done big men

Time: 5:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 12/27, 3/12

January 20, 2023: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings

Significance: Chet Holmgren vs. Domantas Sabonis

Notes: (Arguably) two best Gonzaga players in the NBA (depending how Chet looks)

Time: 7:00 PM PT

Other matchups: 2/26, 2/28

Gonzaga’s reach at the NBA level is so expansive at this point, meaning many matchups that could feature 2-3 Zags weren’t included here. The odds of seeing four Zags on the floor at the same time are very high for this season, and in the not-too-distant future that could end up being a much more common occurrence.