NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 12: An NBA logo is shown at the 5th Avenue NBA store on March 12, 2020 in New York City. The National Basketball Association said they would suspend all games after player Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
The NBA season is currently postponed, but according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, China’s cancellation of the CBA season has altered thinking.
The NBA might not be resuming this season. At any juncture.
With the COVID-19 virus raging in the United States — among other countries around the world — the NBA and other sports leagues have postponed their seasons with unknown return dates. However, according to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, the cancellation of China’s CBA season is creating additional pessimism stateside of finishing out the unplayed games.
With little more than a month remaining in the NBA’s regular season before play was suspended, it initially seemed hopeful play would resume. However, as statewide regulations are banning large gatherings in the coming weeks and months, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see a path for games to be played any time soon.
While it’s unlikely the league will begin cancelling games in the immediate future, one must begin wondering how the NBA would structure a return if even possible. The Association could play through the summer, but logistics such as schedule, playoff format and starting the following season on time would have to be worked through.
Should the season be cancelled, it would be the first time in NBA history the season ended without a Finals. This isn’t without precedent in the four major sports, however, as the 1918 Stanley Cup Final was scuttled due to the Spanish Flu outbreak.
Of course, the league needs to think of public health first and foremost. Additionally, at this point, there’s no known deadline on when games would need to start up again to finish the season in any capacity.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.