NBA 2020-21: new changes for the season
Everyone has had to make changes due to the pandemic and the NBA is no different. Find out the changes that the league has made for the 2020-21 season.
Last season was nearly kiboshed due to the coronavirus pandemic but was salvaged by putting 22 teams in the Disney World bubble. The abbreviated season finished in October with the Los Angeles Lakers crowned the 2020 champions. Now that the league has ventured out of the bubble for the 2020-21 season and the NBA has made modifications for the new season set to begin with the pandemic still raging.
The 75th season will begin on 22 December coming just in time for the Christmas Day showcase. However this year will see less games in the regular season which will be split into two parts to account for any possible tussles the league might have with the virus. The league has set up a list of rules to keep the play going in the home arenas. However not all the teams will be able to play with their fans cheering in person.
What are the dates for the 2020-21 season?
Tip-off for the regular season is set for 22 December with a tentative end coming 16 May bar any covid-19 imposed delays. The season will only be 72 games instead of the normal 82. Teams will play three games against each intraconference opponent for a total of 42 games. However they will play just two against each interconference opponent for a total of 30 games. For the 2020-21 regular season opponent matrix for each NBA team click here.
The 2020-21 season will be broken into two parts to adapt to any possible game postponements or cancellations should the scourge of the virus strike. The First Half schedule will go from 22 December to 4 March with the second still to be announced. It is expected that the Second Half from 11 March to 16 May will be released sometime before the All-Star break, scheduled for 5 to 10 March.
The 2021 All-Star Weekend originally set for Indianapolis was postponed until 2024 but plans for a revised 2021 NBA All-Star event are still in the works.
What are the Key Dates for the 2020-21 season?
22 December – 4 March: First Half of regular season
5 - 10 March: All-Star break
11 March - 16 May: Second Half of regular season
18 - 21 May: Play-In Tournament
22 May - 22 July: 2021 NBA Playoffs
How will the Play-In Tournament be structured?
Teams with the 7th-highest through the 10th-highest winning percentages in each conference will participate in the Play-In Tournament. The 7th and 8th seed in each conference will play each other for the 7th spot in the playoffs. The 9th and 10th seed teams will play each other for a chance to play the loser of the Seven-Eight game. The winner of that final matchup will get the 8th spot in the playoffs.
Will fans be in attendance for games in 2020-21?
Whether or not fans can attend will depend on the rules in place for the home market and the health authorities recommendations. Details on which teams will allow fans to attend is being released team-by-team and can be checked here.
How will the league prevent the spread of covid-19?
The NBA sent a guidebook to the teams ahead of training camps opened at the beginning of December. The health and safety protocols laid out by the league were similar to those imposed back in the summer. However this time there won’t be a protective "bubble" and teams will be travelling. This feature has already caused the Toronto Raptors to move their home arena to Tampa Bay, Florida due to Canadian pandemic-related travel restrictions.
With a vaccine now available, the league and the Players Association will negotiate whether players, coaches and staff will be required to receive it. If a person should choose not to be vaccinated the adjustments to the safety provisions might be implemented.
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Positive covid-19 tests
Players will be tested daily and a positive test result will set into motion a series of steps players will have to go through before they can play again. The first of the two scenarios, if a player doesn’t show symptoms, he will have to sit out for 10 days from the positive result. After that the player must pass an physical examination. Then he will work out alone for two days at a team facility while being monitored. Finally the player will be allowed to rejoin group workouts.
In the second scenario, if the player shows symptoms, he will have to sit out for 10 days from the time the symptoms fade. After that the player will follow the screening and two-day solo workouts under supervision before being allowed to join the team workouts.
Home and away restrictions
While in their team’s home market, team personnel will be prohibited from going to bars, lunges or clubs, as well as attending live entertainment or sports events. Team personnel will also be forbidden from using gyms, spas or pools, in addition to participating in social gatherings with more than 15 people. Players will not be able to use ride-hail services or taxis to get around either.
On the road, players, coaches and staff will be permitted to dine outside their hotels if the restaurants provide outdoor dining, have fully privatized indoor rooms, or have met requirements to be formally approved by the league and the players’ union. A list of at least three approved restaurants in each market will be provided by the NBA and the Player Association.
Each team will designate “Tier 1” members to comprise traveling parties of no more than 45 people. Other employees and staff with less direct contact, requiring masks and social-distancing, will be classified as “Tier 2.” Individuals in both tiers will be subject to daily coronavirus testing. The league will also provide twice-weekly covid-19 testing for household members of players and staff.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
An anonymous tip line will be made available to report possible violations of safety protocols just as in the Orlando "bubble." Also the NBA may conduct unannounced inspections of team facilities to ensure that franchises are complying with the safety protocols.
Players violating the safety guidelines may face a loss of pay proportionate to any lost availability due to quarantines or reinstatement steps. Other penalties may include formal warnings, fines, suspensions or educational sessions. Teams also face potential penalties for failing to comply with or failing to report violations of the mandated safety protocols.