The National Basketball Association had been in talks in the last month or so on when and where to finish the 2019-20 season. It was announced today that the Walt Disney World Resort is about to become the center of the pro basketball world this summer.
The NBA officially announced that it will finish its 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort. The season, which was interrupted by the pandemic on March 11, will resume in July with team practices and games played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Arena, HP Field House, and Visa Athletic Center.
Game play will resume on July 30 with 22 teams (the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference) competing to determine seeding for the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs will feature 16 teams and the NBA Finals will end no later than October 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The teams that will finish out the season are: Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards.
Based on current league guidelines which were developed in consultation with public health experts and government officials, all games will be held without spectators. Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are thrilled to continue the long-standing relationship with the NBA, which includes the first-of-its-kind entertainment venue, NBA Experience, at Disney Springs.
As reported earlier, teams will stay at the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Most every hotel amenity will be at the players’ disposal, including movie nights, outdoor entertainment, and the ability to attend other games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
For more information about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season, including details on the competition format, visit www.NBA.com.
