The coronavirus has rocked sporting leagues around the globe, but we seem to be nearing the end in Australia, and as a result, NBL basketball is returning and fans will be able to watch live NBL competition in less than three weeks.
The first NBL practice matches will kick off in November with the Adelaide 36ers taking on the Brisbane Bullets at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
It’s a new era for the 36ers under the leadership of new coach Conner Henry, and it will be the first chance for Sixers fans to see new recruits Isaac Humphries, Keanu Pinder, Sunday Dech and 18-year-old Next Star Josh Giddey for the first time in a 36ers uniform.
The NBL regular season is currently scheduled to start January 15th. The details of the season are still to be determined by it will be a unique schedule, to say the least.
Talks continue around whether there will be a hub used during the season and various teams will travel will be impacted depending on the rules to enter in each individual Australian state.
“I wouldn’t say the bubble is out, (the NBL) needs a contingency plan, we’ve all seen the coronavirus can flare up very quickly at any time and we don’t know when a vaccine will be passed for public consumption.
“We will go through a process of establishing where a bubble will be located if we need it and hope we don’t,” said NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger on Fran Fraschilla’s World of Basketball podcast.
International teams like the Breakers will no doubt severely compromised as they will be expected to base themselves in Australia and play on the road for the first ten weeks of the season in current plans for the season.
“The goal is to play the first 14 games of ours in two and a half months, then by April 1, maybe we come back and play a whole bunch of home games.” said Breakers owner Matt Walsh.
While the NBL regular season is being finalised it’s a great sign to see live basketball back in front of fans and a sign we’re closing in on the tip-off to NBL season 2020-21.
Adelaide 36ers Vs Brisbane Bullets Game Details
Date: Fri 13 Nov
Time: 7.00pm tip-off
Venue: Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, SA
Tickets available through Ticketek
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
