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2020–21 NBA season

The 2020–21 NBA season was the 75th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA), though the 75th anniversary was not celebrated until the following season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was reduced to 72 games for each team, and began on December 22, 2020.[1] The season started just 72 days after the completion of the 2020 NBA Finals, the shortest off-season in league history.[2] The 2021 NBA All-Star Game was played on March 7, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, and was won by Team LeBron, 170–150. For the first time, the NBA staged a play-in tournament for teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference from May 18 to 21. The playoffs then ran under the standard 16-team playoff format from May 22 to July 20, 2021.[1] Due to COVID-19 cross-border restrictions imposed by the Canadian government, the Toronto Raptors played their 2020–21 home games at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.[3]

2020–21 NBA season

  • December 22, 2020 – May 16, 2021
  • May 18–21, 2021
    (Play-in tournament)
  • May 22 – July 3, 2021
    (Playoffs)
  • July 6–20, 2021
    (Finals)

72

30

On September 8, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Williams played for four teams during his 15-year NBA career.[4]

Marvin Williams

On September 14, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Barbosa played 14 seasons in the NBA, winning one championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.[5][6]

Leandro Barbosa

On October 24, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Séraphin played for three teams during his seven-year NBA career.[7][8]

Kevin Séraphin

On November 16, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Brewer played for 12 years in the NBA for eight teams, winning one championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.[9]

Corey Brewer

On November 18, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Wright played for four teams during his 11-year NBA career, winning one championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.[10]

Dorell Wright

On November 25, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Brooks played for seven teams during his 13-year NBA career.[11]

Aaron Brooks

On November 30, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Bogut played for five teams during his 14-year NBA career, winning one championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.[12][13]

Andrew Bogut

On November 30, 2020, announced his retirement from the NBA. Turner played 10 seasons for five teams during his time in the NBA.[14]

Evan Turner

On February 4, 2021, announced his retirement from the NBA. Nogueira played for the Toronto Raptors for his entire four-year NBA career.[15]

Lucas Nogueira

On March 1, 2021, announced his retirement from the NBA. Noah played for four teams during his 13-year NBA career. He was the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time All-Star.[16]

Joakim Noah

On March 31, 2021, announced his retirement from the NBA. Sefolosha played for five teams during his 14-year NBA career.[17]

Thabo Sefolosha

On April 15, 2021, announced his retirement from the NBA as a result of heart issues and an irregular heartbeat after games. Aldridge played for three teams during his 15-year NBA career, and was a seven-time All-Star.[18]

LaMarcus Aldridge

On May 19, 2021, announced his retirement from the NBA. Lin played for eight teams during his nine-year NBA career, winning one championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.[19]

Jeremy Lin

Preseason[edit]

The COVID-19 pandemic in North America, which pushed the conclusion of the previous 2019–20 season and playoffs into the fall, had delayed the start date of training camp to November 10, 2020.[45] The preseason began on December 11 and ended on December 19.[46]

z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs

c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs

y – Clinched division title

x – Clinched playoff spot

* – Division leader

pi - Clinched play-in spot

Uniforms[edit]

On July 21, 2020, the NBA and Nike announced that the "Statement Edition" uniforms would switch to the Air Jordan label.[132]

The ' home arena, formerly known as the Pepsi Center, was renamed Ball Arena on October 22, 2020.[133]

Denver Nuggets

The ' home arena, formerly known as Talking Stick Resort Arena, was renamed Footprint Center (previously Phoenix Suns Arena) after the naming rights deal expired on November 6, 2020, to July 16, 2021.[134]

Phoenix Suns

Media[edit]

This is the fifth year of the current nine-year contracts with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV.[189]


To reduce on-site staff, ESPN and TNT will leverage the home team's rightsholder as a host broadcaster for some of their games. They will send a neutral "world feed" and other camera feeds to the network, which will then add commentary and surrounding coverage. ESPN and TNT are also deploying additional cameras specific to their broadcasts, and ESPN may provide a supplemental on-site presence if the local broadcaster does not have enough capacity to support the host model. ESPN stated that some (roughly half) of their games, particularly marquee games exclusive to ESPN and ABC, would be produced on-site with an existing hybrid model (where some producers and graphics operators work from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut). TNT also planned to begin doing some games on-site beginning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.[190][191]


On December 26, 2020, it was announced that Fox Sports Networks had acquired rights to simulcast 36 Toronto Raptors games locally in the Tampa Bay area through at least the first half of the season. All of the games will be carried via the Fox Sports Go app, with selected games to also air on television via Fox Sports Sun (15) and Fox Sports Florida (2).[192]


On March 31, 2021, the Fox Sports Networks rebranded as Bally Sports, as part of an agreement between majority-owner Sinclair Broadcast Group and casino operator Bally's Corporation.[193][194][195]

On May 13, 2020, the NBA announced that 's partnership with the league as official game ball supplier would end after this season. The league signed an agreement with Wilson for the latter to return as the NBA's official ball brand that would take effect in the 2021–22 season.[196] Spalding was the official supplier of game balls since the start of the 1983–84 season.[196]

Spalding

On December 26, 2020, of the Washington Wizards became the fourth player to record triple-doubles in the first two games of a season.[197] On December 29, he became the second player after Oscar Robertson to record triple-doubles in their first three games of a season.[198]

Russell Westbrook

On December 27, 2020, the recorded the largest ever halftime lead in a game, with a 50-point advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers (77–27).[199]

Dallas Mavericks

On December 27, 2020, of the Golden State Warriors became the third player ever to reach 2,500 career 3-pointers.[200]

Stephen Curry

On December 29, 2020, the set a new record for most three-point field goals made in a game with 29 against the Miami Heat, breaking the previous record of 27 set by the Houston Rockets on April 7, 2019.[201]

Milwaukee Bucks

On December 30, 2020, of the Los Angeles Lakers became the first player to reach 1,000 consecutive regular season games with at least 10 points.[202]

LeBron James

On January 1, 2021, of the Portland Trail Blazers passed Tim Duncan for 14th on the NBA all-time scoring list.[203]

Carmelo Anthony

On January 6, 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks and took a knee for their first possessions in protest to the announcement that criminal charges would not be filed against police officers in the Jacob Blake shooting. The Bucks held the ball for seven seconds in reference to Blake's seven gunshots.[204] Various teams linked arms at center court in unison during the anthem in response to the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol.[205]

Detroit Pistons

On January 7, 2021, of the Miami Heat became the fastest player to reach 300 career three pointers. He made it in a span of only 95 games, surpassing both Luka Dončić's and Damian Lillard's previous record within 117 games.[206]

Duncan Robinson

On January 8, 2021, the set a new franchise record for points in a single regular season game, scoring 144 points against the Sacramento Kings on the road.[207]

Toronto Raptors

On January 9, 2021, posted a triple-double for the Charlotte Hornets against the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the youngest player ever to record a triple-double, at the age of 19 years and 140 days. He surpassed the previous record held by Markelle Fultz, who recorded a triple-double aged 19 years and 317 days.[208]

LaMelo Ball

On January 16, 2021, of the Brooklyn Nets posted a triple-double against the Orlando Magic, becoming the seventh player to record a triple-double during his team debut.[209]

James Harden

On January 20, 2021, of the Atlanta Hawks became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2004 to record 25 points, 25 rebounds and 5 blocks in a single game, doing so against the Detroit Pistons.[210]

Clint Capela

On January 20, 2021, of the Utah Jazz became the fastest player to reach 600 three pointers. He did it in just 240 games, beating the previous record of 244 games set by Buddy Hield in 2019.[211]

Donovan Mitchell

On January 23, 2021, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors passed for second place on the NBA all-time three point list.[212]

Reggie Miller

On January 29, 2021, Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards passed for 13th place on the NBA all-time assist list.[213]

Maurice Cheeks

On January 29, 2021, of the Atlanta Hawks became the fastest player to reach 400 career three pointers doing it in 159 games, surpassing the previous total of 163 games set by Damian Lillard.[214]

Trae Young

On February 2, 2021, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers passed for 13th on the NBA all-time scoring list.[215]

Dominique Wilkins

On February 4, 2021, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers passed for third place on the NBA all-time field goal list.[216]

Wilt Chamberlain

On February 6, 2021, of the Denver Nuggets became the first center since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 to record 50 points and 10 assists.[217]

Nikola Jokić

On February 9, 2021, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers passed Oscar Robertson for 12th on the NBA all-time scoring list.

[218]

On February 19, 2021, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers became the third player in NBA history to reach 35,000 career points joining and Karl Malone.[219]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

On February 19, 2021, and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, in a game against the Sacramento Kings became the first pair of teammates to each record a triple double on multiple occasions. The duo first accomplished this feat on December 10, 2019, in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.[220]

Jimmy Butler

On February 19, 2021, had the most points (50) without a free throw attempted[221][222]

Jamal Murray

On February 20, 2021, of the Phoenix Suns passed Oscar Robertson for sixth place on the NBA all-time assist list.[223]

Chris Paul

On February 23, 2021, the Denver Nuggets broke the record for fewest turnovers (1) by a team in a game[225]

[224]

On March 3, 2021, of the Indiana Pacers set several records. The first record was most steals in a half with 9. He also became the first player since Mookie Blaylock to record a triple double with steals and the sixth overall. He did this all off the bench which is also an NBA record.[226]

T. J. McConnell

On March 3, 2021, and Dennis Smith Jr. of the Detroit Pistons became the 13th time a pair of teammates each had a triple double in a game.[227]

Mason Plumlee

On March 11, 2021, of the Miami Heat became the fastest player to record 400 career made three pointers, doing it in a span of 125 games, surpassing previous record set by Trae Young at 159 games earlier on January 29, 2021. Robinson made this feat by scoring only nine points, all in three pointers in a game won against the Orlando Magic. Currently, Robinson holds the record of being the fastest player ever to reach three three points made milestones — 200 in 69 games, 300 in 95 games, and now 400 in 125 games.[228]

Duncan Robinson

On March 13, 2021, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers passed for 11th place on the NBA all-time scoring list.[229]

Hakeem Olajuwon

On March 27, 2021, of the San Antonio Spurs became the third coach in NBA history to reach 1,300 career wins with a 120–104 win against the Chicago Bulls.[230]

Gregg Popovich

On March 29, 2021, Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards became the third player to record a 30–10–20 triple-double, joining Oscar Robertson and . He also became the first player to record a triple double with 35 points and 20 assists, with his 35 points, 21 assists, and 14 rebounds.[231][232]

Magic Johnson

On April 3, 2021, the Utah Jazz had the most 3-point field goals made (18) by a team in a half

[233]

On April 10, 2021, the had the youngest starting lineup in NBA history with an average age of 20 years, 8 months and 6 days.[234]

Oklahoma City Thunder

On April 12, 2021, Stephen Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time scoring leader.

[235]

On April 30, the overcame a 32-point deficit and beat the Spurs, which was the third biggest comeback ever. They were led by Jayson Tatum who had 60 points.

Celtics

On May 1, 2021, the defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 152–95. The 57-point victory is the largest road win in NBA history.[236]

Indiana Pacers

On May 1, 2021, of the Miami Heat passed Luka Dončić as the fastest player to reach 500 3-pointers. He made this feat in 152 games, in a 124–107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 35 games earlier than Dončić's record of within 187 games.[237]

Duncan Robinson

On May 3, 2021, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers passed for 10th place on the NBA all-time scoring list.[238]

Elvin Hayes

On May 3, 2021, Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards clinched a fourth season averaging a triple-double. He also recorded the third ever 20-rebound, 20-assist game, as well as the third ever 10–20–20 game, with 14 points, 21 rebounds, and 24 assists against the . This was his second time reaching each feat.[239] He also tied the record for most assists (24) in a triple-double[240]

Indiana Pacers

On May 8, 2021, Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards tied Oscar Robertson for , with a career total of 181.[241] Two days later on May 10, Westbrook passed Robertson, with a career total of 182.[242]

most career triple-doubles

On June 1, 2021, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers broke an NBA playoff record with 12 made three-pointers, including 2 threes to force overtime and double overtime as part of a 55-point performance during a 147–140 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the First Round.

[243]

On June 8, 2021, Nikola Jokić became the first Denver Nuggets player, the first Serbian native, and the lowest-drafted player to be named NBA MVP; he is the first center since in 2000 to win NBA MVP.[244] Jokić and his fellow Serbian countryman Vasilije Micić (Anadolu Efes, Turkey) became the first-ever pair of players from the same country to be awarded both NBA MVP and EuroLeague MVP honors in the same season.[245][246]

Shaquille O'Neal

set the record for the highest 2-point field goal percentage in a season at 74.19% [247][248]

Mitchell Robinson

Utah Jazz set the record for the most 3-point field goals made per game (16.7) in a season

[249]

Los Angeles Clippers set the record for the highest free-throw percentage averaged (83.9%) in a season

[250]

Portland Trail Blazers set the record for the lowest average turnovers per game (11.1) in a season

[251]

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports

List of NBA regular season records