A 2019-20 champion will be crowned.
The NBA board of governors voted Thursday 29-1 to resume the season with 22 teams.
The lone holdout, according to ESPN sources, were the Portland Trailblazers.
Teams begin training in Orlando July 9, with games starting July 31.
The National Basketball Players Association is expected to approve the plan Friday during a conference call.
“The Board’s approval of the restart format is a necessary step toward resuming the NBA season,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts.”
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will host all games, practices, and housing.
The league chose Orlando over several other locations, including Houston and Las Vegas.
Thirteen Western Conference teams and 9 Eastern Conference teams will play eight regular-season (seeding) games.
The Portland Trailblazers, currently the 11th seed in the West, were the only team to vote against the proposal, citing better, more competitive formats than the one presented.
“We play for an ownership group that actually listens to its players and has a backbone,” Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum posted on Twitter. “We voiced what we felt was the best option, and they followed our lead. I commend our front office and [team chair] Jody Allen.”
We play for an ownership group that actually listens to its players and has a backbone. We voiced what we felt was the best option and they followed our lead. I commend our front office and Jody Allen. https://t.co/mAj5EzeiUh
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) June 4, 2020
According to ESPN sources, the proposal states:
- Season starts on July 31
- All 22 teams will report to Walt Disney World Resort to play without fans
- Each team will play 8 regular-season games
- Number 8 and 9 seeds for each conference will have a play-in tournament
- Draft Lottery scheduled for August 25
- NBA Draft scheduled for October 15 (Free Agency Oct. 18)
- 2020-21 Season will start December 1
ESPN sources report the NBA plans to conduct daily coronavirus testing on the Disney campus.