A 22-team format with NBA Finals to take place in October is expected to be voted upon this week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday.
Commissioner Adam Silver, who is targeting July 31 as the season resumption date, is expected to take the proposal to the league’s Board of Governors for a vote on Thursday.
Three-fourths of the 30 teams must vote in favor for the plan to be approved. Wojnarowski said that owners expect the plan to be passed.
If passed, the Game 7 of the Finals would be scheduled for Oct. 12.
The league and players association continue to discuss how the format should play out.
Wojnarowski said there have been advancements toward a regular-season, play-in and playoff games for 22 teams: The 16 teams currently in playoff position, and six more who are within six games of the eighth seed.
It is not yet clear how or if regular season games would affect the standings. Oklahoma City Thunder are currently in fifth place and only one game back of the fourth seed but just 1.5 in front of the seventh seed.
There are five Western Conference teams who would play: the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
The Washington Wizards from the Eastern Conference would also take part.
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