The National Basketball Association’s board of governors has approved a plan that will restart the 2019-20 NBA season in late July. This ended months of uncertainty after the league suspended play over health and safety concerns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
The league officially suspended play back on March 11th.
The return-to-play plan will send 22 teams to Orlando, Florida. Eight regular season games for each of the 22 teams will determine the seeding for a complete, 16-team playoff field. The season will restart on July 31st, and the NBA Finals will end no later than October 12th.
How many NBA teams will return to play?
- 22 total teams
- 13 from West
- 9 from East
A total of 22 of the NBA’s 30 teams will be invited to take part in the remainder of the NBA season. ESPN reported that the decision on the number of teams had to do with mitigating risk of spreading COVID-19.
Below is a statement from the league:
“The NBA and the NBPA are working with infectious disease specialists, public health experts and government officials to establish a rigorous program to prevent and mitigate the risk related to COVID-19, including a regular testing protocol and stringent safety practices.”
“The season restart is also contingent on an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to use Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, as a single site for a campus for all games, practices and housing for the remainder of the season.”
The NBA Draft is planned for October 15th. Free agency is slated to begin on October 18th and will follow the completion of the Finals. The 2020-21 NBA regular season is reportedly estimated to begin on December 1st.
The teams invited to Orlando for the NBA’s restart are in bold font.
Eastern Conference
- Milwaukee Bucks (53-12)
- Totonto Raptors (46-18)
- Boston Celtics (43-21)
- Miami Heat (41-24)
- Indiana Pacers (39-26)
- Philadelphia 79ers (39-26)
- Brooklyn Nets (30-34)
- Orlando Magic (30-35)
- Washington Wizards (24-40)
- Charlotte Hornets (23-42)
- Chicago Bulls (22-43)
- New York Knicks (21-45)
- Detroit Pistons (20-46)
- Atlanta Hawks (20-47)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (19-46)
Western Conference
- Los Angeles Lakers (49-14)
- Los Angeles Clippers (44-20)
- Denver Nuggets (43-22)
- Utah Jazz (41-23)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24)
- Houston Rockets (40-24)
- Dallas Mavericks (40-27)
- Memphis Grizzlies (32-33)
- Portland Trail Blazers (29-37)
- New Orleans Pelicans (28-36)
- Sacramento Kings (28-36)
- San Antonio Spurs (27-36)
- Phoenix Suns (26-39)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (19-45)
- Golden State Warriors (15-50)
This article was written citing information and media from the AP, NBC Sports and ESPN. For more sports, news and entertainment follow the Midwest Sports Network on Twitter @MWSNsports or like MWSN on Facebook.
