NBA hopes some fans will be in arenas when the 2020-21 season tips off

The NBA hopes to have fans in the stands and luxury suites, even if just a few, when the league starts its 2020-21 season.

Owners and players are still in talks on when to start the next campaign, perhaps as early as Dec. 22 or as late as Jan. 18.

No schedule has yet been released, but when the league does tip off, the hope is to have spectators inside 30 the NBA arenas.

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A source familiar with the NBA planning told NBC News the goal is to have fans at the games in adherence with all local government guidance, following protocols that could include masks, social distancing and testing.

Pro basketball, like sports across the world, was shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

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There were no games played from March 12 to July 29, before the league resumed action in a "bubble" near Orlando.

The season ended on Oct. 11 when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

A typical NBA season includes an 82-game regular season but the next campaign might be cut to 72 contests.