NBA 2020-2021 schedule: season and playoffs
NBA regular season action is set to begin on 22 December with top contenders for the 2021 final playing and an LA showdown. Check the schedule for 2020-21.
The teams are back in their arenas for the 2020-21 season running the gambit of the coronavirus instead of sheltering in the Disney World “bubble.” This season will be 10 games shorter than previous seasons and broken into two parts to give the league room to maneuver if covid-19 should take to the court again. The league doesn’t have any criteria for postponing or cancelling the season for the moment but has set rules to avoid contagion as much as is possible.
The first tip-off for the regular season will be Tuesday at 7 pm ET, 22 December with the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Golden State Warriors. Followed by the LA Clippers hosting the LA Lakers at 10 pm ET. Wednesday will see a full line-up with the other 26 teams in the league playing games starting, the first ones at 7 pm ET. All in the run-up to the Christmas Day showcase starting at 12 pm ET.
What is the season schedule for 2020-21
The regular season is set to get going 22 December with a tentative end coming 16 May should covid-19 not cause any delays. The season will only be 72 games instead of the normal 82 with teams playing 3 games against each of their intraconference opponents. Each team will play just 2 games against each of their interconference opponents. For the 2020-21 regular season opponent matrix for each NBA team click here.
The 2020-21 season will be split into two parts to make adjustments for any possible game postponements or cancellations due to covid-19. The First Half will go from 22 December to 4 March with the second still to be announced. The NBA plans to announce the line-up for the Second Half sometime before the All-Star break, scheduled for 5 to 10 March. The Second Half is expected to run from 11 March to 16 May.
A revised 2021 NBA All-Star event is still in the works as the 2021 All-Star Weekend originally set for Indianapolis was postponed until 2024 but plans.
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 can I watch the NBA 2020-21 season?
The NBA games will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and TNT as well as NBA TV and local market channels. Fans can also catch the games on the NBA League Pass, to find out more information click here. Currently there isn’t a free trial period but you can try other alternatives. Some of the arenas will be allowing for in-person attendance but it varies by market. The NBA is providing details on which teams will allow fans to attend team-by-team and can be checked here.
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.