NBA Targeting July 31 as Return Date, to Issue Return Plan on Thursday

Sports are coming back!

On Friday, it was announced that the NBA is targeting to return to play on July 31 with all games set to be played at the Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The league shall issue its return to play plans next  Thursday.

“We are lining up behind [Silver] on this,” one owner told ESPN on Friday. “The posturing will end. Nothing is going to be perfect for everyone.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league office informed Board of Governors that July 31 is a target date for return of season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 29, 2020

There is now growing support to limit the amount of teams that are to return to the central site. At this time, the league hopes to bring back between 20-22 teams to the complex in July for a condensed regular season. While the format is not yet set in stone, a play-in tournament remains very much in play while a World Cup style group structure appears to be off the table.

With a 22-team plan, the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Washington Wizards, and San Antonio Spurs are all expected to return with the current playoff teams. The NBA and NBPA remain mindful of generating revenue once the season returns, therefore the idea of play-in games will most certainly generate more money prior to the start of the postseason.