It’s a good day to be a basketball fan.
After weeks without NBA (or any other major sports league), ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed more details of the planned return of pro-basketball. It started with this Tweet that came Wednesday morning.
So the NBA's inviting 22 teams to Orlando: 13 Western Conference, 9 Eastern Conference. Eight-regular season games per team. Play-in for the 8th seeds. July 31-October 12. Vote tomorrow to ratify.
The NBA's back.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
The NBA had been discussing several scenarios to play out the season — but this seems like the best way to work things out. For teams who were in the playoff picture, or fighting for a spot, it gives them a chance to play. For lottery teams, they don’t have to worry about risking the health of players for meaningless games.
The list of all participants has also been revealed by Woj:
Sources: Joining the 16 current playoff teams in Orlando: New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Antonio in the West and Washington in the East. If the 9th seed is more than 4 games behind the 8th, No. 8 makes playoffs; Fewer than 4 games, a play-in tournament.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
So, it seems the rest of the season will be played in Orlando with 22 teams, an 8-game regular season, and a play-in tournament for the 8-seed.
Full details of the NBA’s return, via ESPN:
– 22 teams, returning July 31st.
– 8 regular season games per team.
– 16 current playoff teams, and Suns, Spurs, Pelicans, Kings, Wizards, and Blazers.
– Play-in tournament for the 8-seed (double elimination).
Basketball is BACK.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 3, 2020
Things are moving towards a return and it’s only a matter of time before we’re watching our favorite players on the court again. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
