Reports: NBA Targeting Late December Start Date For Upcoming Season
The next NBA season could be here sooner than we thought.
Friday morning ESPN initially reported a Christmas Day start date and “fewer than 82 games” for the 2020-21 season. However, Shams Charania of the Athletic and Stadium reports Dec. 22nd as the potential start for a 72-game season.
Whoever is right, NBA fans will be thrilled to have the NBA back just two months after the NBA Finals ended.
Charania Reporting
This report includes that the 72-game season would end in time for players to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The NBA is targeting Dec. 22 for the start of the 2020-21 season and a 72-game campaign that finishes before the ‘21 Olympics, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2020
“The goal for us next season is to play a standard season, 82-game season and playoffs. In home arenas, in front of fans,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month.
Adrian Wojnarowski’s Reporting
After Charania’s Tweet was posted, ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider put out an updated scenario.
The NBA is planning to continue discussions with NBPA on 2020-2021 start plans that would include an opening night in the days prior to Christmas, 70-to-72 regular season games and a play-in tournament, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/aTobRpe9tZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2020
ESPN contracted “Numerous teams” who “weren’t sure such a timeline was feasible.” Other teams are “pushing for a start around Martin Luther King Day weekend in mid-January, sources said.”
The league is also considering an in-season tournament, which has been rumored for a few years, and play-in scenarios ESPN reports. The NBA used the play-in game option for the NBA Bubble, which allowed the Blazers to make the postseason.
Wojnarowski also reports the NBA could use a baseball-style setup for scheduling games.
Sources: NBA and Board Governors continued discussion on call today about playing something resembling more of a baseball series to limit travel outside of bubble. For example, a team might travel to New York and play its two road games against Knicks and one vs. Nets. https://t.co/ObuqSkNXCB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2020
This idea just makes sense, given the circumstances. It limits travel. It allows teams to play most, if not all, teams in the league.
Also, we might lose the NBA All-Star Game next season.
Another potential casualty of the 2020-2021 season and the coronavirus, sources tell ESPN: The All-Star Game. The event is scheduled for Indianapolis. No final decision has been made.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2020
To be honest, whenever the NBA comes back, we’ll be glad to have the Portland Trail Blazers back in action.
