The NBA is back.
This time, we can say it like we mean it.
The NBA has approved a plan to restart its 2019-20 season, which has been on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium are reporting the league’s board of governors approved a restart plan Thursday.
It is the most significant step towards a resumption of basketball since the season was suspended on March 11.
The tentative start date is Friday, July 31.
The plan still needs approval from the players’ union.
The plan involves holding the remaining games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
The 22-team format will include the 16 teams in playoff position at the time of the NBA’s suspension. It will also include the six teams within six games of a playoff berth. These teams will take part in the 2019-20 season’s conclusion.
Those six consist of the Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs.
The Portland Trailblazers were the lone team that voted against the 22-team format.
Players will undergo daily testing
Players are expected to undergo uniform, daily testing while in Orlando. A positive test for an individual player would result in that person entering quarantine and receiving treatment. Games would still go on.
Teams will play eight regular-season games apiece before a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed in each conference. The league will then hold its typical four-round playoff consisting of best-of-seven series.
In addition, the NBA established dates for the Draft Lottery (Aug. 25) and Draft (Oct. 15).
The NBA settled upon 22 teams after ruling out including all 30, to reduce the number of people entering its planned safety bubble in Florida.
