Jazz-Pelicans, Clippers-Lakers to kick off NBA resumption

Kawhi Leonard's Clippers and LeBron James' Lakers will be facing each other on July 30. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz-Pelicans, Clippers-Lakers to begin NBA resumption on July 30

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/26/20

The 22-team model to crown a champion for the 2019-20 NBA season altered by the coronavirus pandemic tips off on July 30 with a pair of intriguing matchups, including one that features same-city rivals.

As noted by The Athletic's Shams Charania and others, the Utah Jazz face the New Orleans Pelicans in the resumption opener. The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Los Angeles Clippers in the nightcap.

July 31 will feature:

Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Charania added that no more than seven games will occur on any given day at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando:

NBA restart schedule notes:
- Maximum seven games per day, tip-offs between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Three total courts, two for national TV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2020

Teams begin arriving at the Florida bubble site on July 7. Earlier Friday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver suggested that a coronavirus outbreak among on-campus personnel could cause the postponement or cancellation of a season that's already unlike any other in history.

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