Coronavirus: NBA releases scrimmage schedule before season restart
July 5, 2020 04:42 MYT
The NBA announced the schedule for scrimmage games to take place before the season restarts following the coronavirus-enforced break.
Basketball came to a halt in the United States and Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March, but the 2019-20 NBA campaign is set to resume on July 30.
Orlando's Disney World complex will host 22 teams, with the Los Angeles Lakers headlining the league's comeback against rivals the Los Angeles Clippers on July 30 after the New Orleans Pelicans face the Utah Jazz on the same day.
Prior to the NBA returning, all 22 teams in Orlando will play three inter-squad scrimmages between July 22 and July 28.
The NBA Season Restart Scrimmage Schedule! From July 22-28, participating teams will compete in three inter-squad scrimmages in final preparation for the resumption of the season on July 30. #WholeNewGame pic.twitter.com/c27jDrsTQw
— NBA (@NBA) July 4, 2020
Kawhi Leonard's Clippers will play the Orlando Magic on July 22, with the Washington Wizards-Denver Nuggets, Pelicans-Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings-Miami Heat scrimmages also taking place that day.
The Milwaukee Bucks led the NBA with a 53-12 record prior to the coronavirus crisis, ahead of the Lakers (49-14), defending champions the Toronto Raptors (46-18) and Clippers.
Scrimmage schedule:
Wednesday, July 22
Orlando Magic v Los Angeles Clippers
Thursday, July 23
San Antonio Spurs v Milwaukee Bucks
Friday, July 24
Memphis Grizzlies v Philadelphia 76ers
Saturday, July 25
Los Angeles Lakers v Orlando Magic
Sunday, July 26
Philadelphia 76ers v Oklahoma City Thunder
Monday, July 27
Washington Wizards v Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesdays, July 28
Memphis Grizzlies v Miami Heat