Allie Wenskoski, Junior
Opening day for the NBA’s 2020-2021 season was December 22. This date was debated for the last few months since the NBA’s last season was delayed and only ended on October 11, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93. The 2019-20 season was the NBA’s longest season in history due to the delayed schedule from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2020-21 season, each NBA team will play 72 games and face each opponent in their conference twice.
When planning the NBA’s season, COVID precautions needed to be considered. The schedules for each team were made to reduce travel, as well as introducing series for the first time. This means that when an NBA team travels to play an opponent, they will play a consecutive game with that opponent, if they would need to play them again later on in the year. This will reduce NBA travel with 50% less times that teams will travel for one game.
Opening day was a success after eight days of pre-season games. Two games were scheduled for night one and the Golden State Warriors traveled to New York to face the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the Staples Center. The Nets won their first game of the season with a score of 125-99 and the Clippers reigned champion of their game, winning 116-109. Week one of the NBA’s season finished strong on Sunday, December 27, and the season was off to an amazing start.
After week one there was a four place tie for first place in the Eastern Conference and an eight way tie for first in the Western Conference. Each team has played up to three games and no less than two.
As long as the NBA’s schedule goes according to plan and not affected by COVID, the schedule is as follows. Pre-season games were held from December 11 to December 19. Opening day was December 22 and the first half of regular season games will be played from the 22nd to March 4th. The NBA All-Star Break will last from March 5th to 10th and the second half of regular season games will continue until May 16th. The play-in tournament for the playoffs will be played from May 18 to 21 and the playoffs will start on May 22nd. The NBA season will end on or near July 22, 2021.
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