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As the coronavirus pandemic slows and approaches a possible end, more and more things are returning to normal, including the NBA. Multiple teams have welcomed fans back into the stands, including the Portland Trail Blazers before they bounced out of the playoffs. Now, the league itself is returning to some semblance of normal as they announce the key dates for the 2021-22 season. Shams Charania of the Athletic had the annoucement.
Sources: Key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 10, 2021
Sept. 28: Training camp starts
Oct. 19: Regular season starts
April 16: Playoffs start
June 2: Finals Game 1
June 19: Finals Game 7
June 23: 2022 NBA Draft
With a training camp start date of September 28th, the league is approaching normalcy once more. Typical training camp dates fall within the last week of September, depending on when and where preseason games are (for example, the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers started camp on September 22nd in 2018 due to playing a preseason game in China). Additionally, the end of the regular season as well as the date of June 23rd for the 2022 draft is in line with previous years.
Given these dates, it is likely that Rip City can expect to see preseason games in early October. What we don’t know is what that team will look like when that comes to pass.