The 2021 NBA season start has been under question ever since March when the NBA, along with almost every other sports league in the world, shut down because of the pandemic. A bubble allowed the league to complete the 2019-20 campaign with an abridged playoff format, but that was months after the postseason would have been, obviously delaying the 2021 NBA season start beyond its normal October date.
It remained in the air for a while, but now we know: the 2021 NBA season start date is set for Tuesday, Dec. 22.
2021 NBA Season Start
The NBA announced it will play its preseason from Dec. 11-19 on Friday, the latest of its 2021 NBA season plans it unveiled.
Each team will play 72 games, a shortened season from the normal 82 contests. The regular season schedule will be released in two halves – the first half beginning Dec. 22, 2020, and ending March 4, 2021, and the second half comprising of March 11 to May 16, 2021.
These terms were set by the NBA and NBA player’s union when the two entities agreed earlier this month. While fans will not be allowed in attendance at the start of the season, the NBA hopes to have them back in the stands at some point in the campaign. The salary cap and luxury tax numbers have also been altered for this season given the mitigating circumstances.
The league held its draft virtually on Nov. 18, months later than it normally would have happened. The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick, with James Wiseman (Golden State Warriors), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), Patrick Williams (Chicago Bulls), Isaac Okoro (Cleveland Cavaliers), Onyeka Okongwu (Atlanta Hawks), Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons), Obi Toppin (New York Knicks), Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards) and Jalen Smith (Phoenix Suns) rounding out the top 10.
