The 2018-19 @NBA season is happening on Twitter

The @NBA season is finally here and the road to a championship begins for 30 determined teams. No matter where allegiances lie, all NBA fans can count on Twitter for nonstop basketball conversation and content.

To ensure you’re ready for a new season; make sure to follow: @NBA, @NBA_Philippines, and your favorite teams and favorite players. On TV, the NBA returns to TNT (@NBAonTNT), ESPN (@ESPNNBA and @ESPN), and NBA TV (@NBATV).

Fans can once again add color to their Tweets this season. Twitter and the NBA launched exclusive hashtag triggered emojis for all 30 teams. Check out the team hashtags that will automatically render emojis here:

Again this year, the NBA will make real-time game highlights available for fans from @NBA on Twitter throughout the season, offering fans the ability to follow all of the action this season at home or on the go. @NBA and team accounts will also continue to go live throughout the year, bringing fans behind the scenes before, during and after the action on the court!

Twitter data

While the season is just getting underway, #NBATwitter never stopped. #NBATwitter encompasses some of the best and most engaged fans in sports and the conversation spikes - on and off court moments - beats top cultural and sports events throughout the year. Before the opening day, Filipino NBA fans on Twitter are already fired up, Tweeting with excitement with the hashtag #NBAIsBack.

From the @Warriors third championship in four seasons to LeBron James’ (@KingJames) move to Los Angeles highlighting Free Agency chatter, the NBA offseason happened on Twitter. These are the most Tweeted about moments since the NBA Finals ended in June:

1. LeBron James signs with Lakers (generated 55K Tweets per Minute; 7/1/18 8:09 PM)
2. Demarcus Cousins signs with Warriors (generated 21K Tweets per Minute; 7/2/2018 8:43 PM)
3. Lance Stephenson signs with Lakers (generated 12K Tweets per Minute; 7/1/2018 10:30 PM)

Superstars on the move, award winners and top personalities dominated offseason conversation on Twitter from a player perspective. Here is a list of the most mentioned NBA players this offseason on Twitter:

1. LeBron James (@KingJames)
2. Kawhi Leonard (@kawhileonard)
3. DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins)
4. Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving)
5. Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili)

Big names switching teams got fans excited this offseason with @KingJames, @kawhileonard and @boogiecousins all heading to new cities in 2018. And fans saluted @manuginobili as he announced his retirement before training camps began.

These teams have fans most excited entering the 2018-19 season:

1. Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers)
2. Golden State Warriors (@warriors)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs)
4. Boston Celtics (@celtics)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers)

Celebrating #NBATwitter

Speaking of #NBATwitter, Twitter is celebrating the incredible community of athletes, fans and influencers by creating the #NBATwitter Hall of Fame to recognize the personalities who embody the spirit and tone of the unique community.

@TwitterSports announced that Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) is inaugural inductee into the #NBATwitter Hall of Fame. Embiid uses his Twitter account to shine light on the conversations, comedy and chaos that define #NBATwitter.

A new inductee will receive a trophy each year etched with their best Tweets, a custom hashtag-triggered emoji for the entire season and will be featured in Twitter content as part of their #NBATwitter HOF enshrinement.

Throughout the season, @TwitterSports will also continue its #NBATwitter content series with new videos and other fun content highlighting the never-ending conversation on the platform around NBA related topics.

For more game highlights, player content and fan reactions, keep Twitter close and be part of the conversation all season long!