NBA 2020-21: Tentative playoff and finals schedule revealed, no All-Star Game this season
There have been steady developments ever since the NBA announced the new, shortened 72-game season would be tipping off on December 22. Recent reports and a string of updates via Twitter by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reportedly dishes out the tentative schedule of the latest edition. According to the tweet, the schedule includes an All-Star break with no ASG and playoff dates that cut pretty close to the delayed 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
The five-day All-Star Break is from March 5 to 10, but there would be no ASG played in 2021. This could mean much-anticipated All-Star events— skills contest, slam dunks and rising stars game will be canceled as well. The other highlight is the end date slated for July 22, 2021, which is just one day before the start of the Summer Olympics. With the playoff dates very close to the event, it makes naming the Olympics basketball team squad a stiff challenge.
Although Wojnarwski has tweeted that barring the December 22 start date, nothing else has been confirmed by the NBA. With the Play-in tournament turning out to be a huge success for the NBA's bubble playoffs, the ESPN journo added the NBA team owners are most likely to approve it soon.
Tentative schedule
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
December 22: Opening night.
All-Star Break (minus an ASG): March 5-10
May 16: Regular season ends
May 17-to-21: Play-in tournament for 7-to-10 seeds.
May 22: First-round playoffs
June 7: Conference semifinals
June 22: Conference Finals
July 8-22: NBA Finals
Last week, it was officially confirmed the start date would be December 22. Free-agent negotiations will begin on Friday, November 20, at 6 pm (ET) with signings starting at 12.01 pm (ET) on Sunday, November 22. Coming up this week is the all-important 2020 NBA Draft on November 18. This is the first time the draft will be held later than June. ESPN and the NBA announced that ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. studios will host the virtual 2020 NBA Draft on November 18, Wednesday at 7 pm ET. The event will air live on ESPN, ESPN Radio, and the ESPN App.
The Timberwolves have the top pick by winning the 2020 Draft Lottery back in August. This is the second time in franchise history that they have had the No. 1 overall pick. The last time it happened in 2015, they selected two-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.