The NBA surpassed its longest in-season stoppage months ago. So many are eager for the league to return from its coronavirus hiatus.
It could happen sooner than previously expected (July 31) – though not much sooner.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
The NBA is targeting a slightly earlier date for the restart of the season in Orlando, sources tell ESPN: July 30.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 11, 2020
Why change the date?
Possibilities:
- July 30 (Thursday) could be better for television than July 31 (Friday).
- The league wants to rush through the offseason for the continuing 22 teams, rush through next season and have NBA players available for the Tokyo Olympics. Moving up the resumption of this season buys more time for all that.
- This could help satisfy players apprehensive about staying so long in the bubble. However, that’d be true if other bubble dates move up, which isn’t clear.
Ultimately, this only a minor change. But it shows just how flexible the schedule is with this restart.