Most NBA teams to start new season sans fans

Article posted by Coliseum, December 21^st, 2020

Image: MJR Group Ltd./Coliseum

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA) announced on November 9^th that they have reached an agreement on rules for the 2020-21 seasons, which will start on December 22^nd. On November 10^th, the NBA’s Board of Governors approved the amended Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2020-21 by a unanimous vote, allowing the abbreviated 2020-21 seasons to begin. The end of the 2020-21 seasons is tentatively scheduled for May 16^th. Each team will play 72 regular-season games, which is 10 games fewer than in a typical, 82-game NBA season.

Strict COVID-19 guidelines have been laid down for the players as well as the teams who are greeting fans.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is an American men’s professional basketball league. It is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. It is the premier men’s professional basketball league in the world.

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The National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA) is a labor union that represents NBA players. It was founded in 1954, making it the oldest trade union of the four major North American professional sports leagues.

Fans in stadia

With COVID-19 continuing to bleed the United States in a big way, full houses are something which has been totally ruled out. Nevertheless, as many as seven NBA teams are planning to have fans in their respective home arenas when the season starts on December 22^nd.

The Orlando Magic will have the most fans at games to start the season with – up to 4,000 in attendance. The Toronto Raptors – who will start the season with home games in Tampa, Florida, because of cross-border travel restrictions, will have up to 3,800 fans, while the Memphis Grizzlies have been given nod to have up to 3,558 fans at FedEx Forum in Tennessee, US.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic NBA basketball team is hoping to welcome up to 4,000 fans to its Amway Center home arena after detailing its attendance plan for the upcoming 2020-21 seasons.

Pre-season games will only be open to families of the Magic organization as part of an evaluation phase, but the team is set to welcome fans for the first five regular-season games at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando, Florida (US).

Those first five games are expected to go ahead with a lesser capacity to allow fans to become accustomed to health and safety protocols in place, but the Magic’s eventual plan is for 4,000 physically-distanced supporters in the arena, which can hold up to around 20,000 fans.

The Orlando Magic is an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division.

Amway Center is an indoor arena located in Downtown Orlando. The arena is home to the Orlando Magic of the NBA.

The 4,000 figure is bigger than any other capacity limit announced by NBA teams that are looking eagerly to welcome back fans for the new season.

Season ticket holders will be accorded first priority based on their tenure, followed by fans that have made a season ticket deposit. Apart from a socially-distanced seating plan, the Magic will introduce a number of other measures, including mandatory wearing of face masks, pre-arrival symptom and exposure surveys, testing for those in close proximity to the court, cleaning of high-traffic areas of the arena, hand sanitizer stations and a no-bag policy to reduce contamination.

The arena has also implemented numerous changes on its own, including upgraded air filters, modified UV lighting and the introduction of electrostatic sprayers. The arena will also transition to a cashless environment to minimize touch points.

In addition, Amway Center is actively pursuing Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility Accreditation, the gold standard among venues for its cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program.

Magic Chief Executive Alex Martins affirmed, “The health and safety of everyone connected to our game will be top priority. Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable which is why extensive safety precautions have been taken for the return to Amway Center.”

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks will only allow close friends and family members to attend games at their home facility – State Farm Arena.

The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta (US). The Hawks compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at the State Farm Arena.

The 21,000-capacity State Farm Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Atlanta, Georgia. The arena serves as the home venue for the Atlanta Hawks.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have so far made no announcement as regards fan attendance in their home arena – TD Garden.

The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston (US). The Celtics compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.

The 19,580-capacity TD Garden, often called The Garden, is a multipurpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves as the home arena of the Boston Celtics.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets will have no fans to start the season at their residence – Barclays Center.

The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn (US). The Nets compete in the NBA as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Barclays Center.

The 19,000-capacity Barclays Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The arena is home to the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA and the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets too will start the season at Spectrum Center sans fans.

The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina (US). The Hornets compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division.

The Spectrum Center is an indoor arena located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. It is owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by its main tenant, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. The arena holds 19,077 for NBA games but can be expanded to 20,200 for college basketball games.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls will start the season with no fans at their home facility – United Center.

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago (US). The Bulls compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 16^th, 1966, and played its first game during the 1966-67 NBA season.

The 23,500-capacity United Center is an indoor arena on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is home to the Chicago Bulls of the NBA and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have up to 300 fans at each game at their home venue – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. A statement sent out by the team read, “The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse continue to work closely with State and local officials and others regarding the timing and conditions that will warrant any appropriate expansion of these conditions for fan access and capacity.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division.

The 20,562-capacity Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is a multipurpose arena in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The building is the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have made no announcement so far as regards fans’ attendance in their digs – American Airlines Center.

The Dallas Mavericks are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas (US). The Mavericks compete in the NBA as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division.

The 20,000-capacity American Airlines Center is a multipurpose arena located in the Victory Park neighborhood in downtown Dallas, Texas. The arena serves as the home of the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets will start the season with no onlookers at their home ground – Ball Arena.

The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver (US). The Nuggets compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division.

The 20,000-capacity Ball Arena is a multipurpose arena located in Denver, Colorado. It is situated at Speer Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in downtown Denver, and serves as the home arena of the Denver Nuggets.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have made no announcement so far as regards fans’ attendance in their residence – Little Caesars Arena.

The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit (US). The Pistons compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Little Caesars Arena located in Midtown.

The 20,332-capacity Little Caesars Arena in Detroit serves as the home of the Detroit Pistons and stages countless other sports, entertainment and community events.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors plans to have a restricted number of fans at their home venue – Chase Center – were rejected by the San Francisco Department of Health.

The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco (US). The Warriors compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division.

The Chase Center is an indoor arena in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco, California, and is the home ground of the Golden State Warriors. The Chase Center can accommodate up to 18,064 spectators for basketball games and 19,500 spectators for concerts.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have made no announcement as regards greeting fans in their home stadium – Toyota Center.

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston (US). The Rockets compete in the NBA as a member team of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center, located in Downtown Houston.

The 18,300-capacity Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Houston Rockets of the NBA.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers will have no fans to start the season at their home arena – Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis (US). The Pacers compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division.

The 20,000-capacity Bankers Life Fieldhouse is an indoor arena located in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It opened in November 1999 and is the home of the Indiana Pacers of the NBA and the Indiana Fever of the WNBA.

Los Angeles Clippers

No announcement has been made so far by the Los Angeles Clippers as regards having fans in their home facility – Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles (US). The Clippers compete in the NBA as a member of the Pacific Division in the league’s Western Conference.

The 20,000-capacity Staples Center is a multipurpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles and serves as the residence of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers – who share the Staples Center with the Los Angeles Clippers – will have no fans to start the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles (US). The Lakers compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division.

The 20,000-capacity Staples Center is a multipurpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles and also serves as the residence of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Shelby County Health Directive has approved 20 percent capacity for games, which means the Memphis Grizzlies can welcome up to 3,558 fans to their home – FedExForum.

The Memphis Grizzlies are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee (US). The Grizzlies compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The Grizzlies play their home games at FedExForum.

The 18,119-capacity FedExForum is a multipurpose arena located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It is the home of the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat will start the season with no fans at their home ground –AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Miami Heat is an American professional basketball team based in Miami (US). The Heat competes in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The club plays its home games at the America Airlines Arena, and has won three NBA championships.

The 21,000-capacity AmericanAirlines Arena is a sports and entertainment multipurpose arena located in Miami, Florida, along Biscayne Bay. It is home to Miami Heat of the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks will start the season with no fans at their digs – Fiserv Forum.

The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee (US). The Bucks compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and play at the Fiserv Forum.

The 17,341-capacity Fiserv Forum is a multipurpose arena located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the home of the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made no announcement so far as regards greeting fans to their home venue – Target Center.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis (US). The Timberwolves compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division.

The 19,356-capacity Target Center is a multipurpose arena located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Apart from serving as the home ground of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Target Center hosts major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations and private events.

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans will have up to 800 fans in their home ground –Smoothie King Center.

The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans (US). The Pelicans compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games in the Smoothie King Center.

The 17,791-capacity Smoothie King Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the City’s Central Business District, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have made no announcement so far as regards welcoming fans to their home arena – Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knickerbockers, more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan (US). The Knicks compete in the NBA as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

The 20,789-capacity Madison Square Garden is a multipurpose indoor arena in New York City and serves as the home venue of the New York Knicks.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder originally planned to have fans in their residence – Chesapeake Energy Arena, and then announced on November 30th that it would not have fans to “exercise an abundance of caution to help control the spread of the virus in our community.”

The Oklahoma City Thunder is an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City (US). The Thunder competes in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays its home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The 18,203-capacity Chesapeake Energy Arena is an arena located in Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It opened in 2002 and since 2008 has served as the home venue for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers has made no announcement as regards having fans at their home facility – Wells Fargo Center.

The Philadelphia 76ers are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area (US). The 76ers compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division and play at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 19,500-capacity Wells Fargo Center is a multipurpose arena located in Philadelphia. It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns will boast no fans to start the season at their home arena – PHX Arena.

The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona (US). The Suns compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in their division not based in California.

The 18,055-capacity PHX Arena is a sports and entertainment arena in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, and serves as the home ground of the Phoenix Suns.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have made no announcement so far as regards holding fans in their home – Moda Center.

The Portland Trail Blazers, colloquially known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon (US). The Trail Blazers compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division.

Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is used for basketball, ice hockey, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions. The arena has a capacity of 19,393 spectators when configured for basketball and is the residence of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings will have no fans to start the season at their home venue – Golden 1 Center.

The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California (US). The Kings compete in the NBA as a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Kings are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues located in Sacramento.

The Golden 1 Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Sacramento, California, United States. It is the home arena of the Sacramento Kings and boasts capacity of 17,608 for basketball fixtures and 19,000 for concerts.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs hopes to have fans in a limited capacity in their home ground – AT&T Center – starting January 1^st, 2021, pending public health data and State guidelines.

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio (US). The Spurs compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The 18,581-capacity AT&T Center is a multipurpose indoor arena on the East side of San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is the home of the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors will at least start the season in Tampa, Florida, because of cross-border travel restrictions with home games at Amalie Arena (Florida) to be played in front of no more than 3,800 fans.

The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto that plays in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. The Raptors have won one conference title and one NBA championship (both in 2019) and their home ground is Scotiabank Arena.

The 19,800-capacity Scotiabank Arena is a multipurpose arena located on Bay Street in the South Core district of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and serves as the home facility of the Toronto Raptors.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz will have 1,500 fans in the lower bowl with limited suite-level seating to start the regular season in their residence – Vivint Smart Home Arena.

The Utah Jazz is an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City (US). The Jazz compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Western Conference, Northwest Division. Since 1991, the team has played its home games at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

The 18,300-capacity Vivint Smart Home Arena is an indoor arena located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and serves as the home arena of the Utah Jazz.

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards will have no fans to start the season at their home ground – Capital One Arena.

The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. (US). The Wizards compete in the NBA as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division.

The 20,356-capacity Capital One Arena is an indoor arena in Washington, D.C., and serves as the residence of the Washington Wizards.

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