The NBA has set July 31, 2020, as the target date for the return of the 2019-20 season and playoffs.
The basketball season has been on suspension since mid-March, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESPN reports that a 22-team format to resume the season and enter the playoffs has been proposed.
This was submitted by the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office for approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors.
While the league is scheduled to resume on July 31, the season could officially end on October 12, should there be a Game 7 of the 2020 NBA Finals.
“As the NBA models a 22-team format for a July 31 resumption in Orlando, the proposed timeline for teams as the last possible date for an NBA Finals Game 7: October 12,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted.
“The NBA's Board of Governors has a Thursday meeting set for a vote on a finalized plan to restart the season, per sources. The league is still working through those details with the NBPA.”
If the Board of Governors approve the current proposal, then six teams would compete for playoff draws.
This is because multiple teams outside of the Western and Eastern Conference teams are likely to join the 22 teams involved in the re-started NBA season at the playoff stage.
Meanwhile, to minimize travel and a possible spread of COVID-19, the NBA prefers one location to be used.
