Are the NBA Scrimmages Going to be Televised?

Yes, the NBA scrimmages leading up to the 2020 season restart in Orlando were televised. NBA TV broadcast 16 inter-squad scrimmages, offering fans a glimpse of their favorite teams and players back in action after the league’s hiatus.

Where to Watch the NBA Scrimmages

NBA TV was the primary broadcaster for the scrimmages. Games were also available via NBA League Pass, providing multiple viewing options for fans. The scrimmages featured a variety of teams, including high-profile contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics.

The NBA Scrimmage Schedule

The scrimmages took place over seven days, starting on July 22nd, 2020, and included six doubleheaders and one quadruple-header. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:

Wednesday, July 22:

• Orlando Magic vs. LA Clippers (3 p.m. ET)
• Washington Wizards vs. Denver Nuggets (5 p.m. ET – Tape Delayed)
• New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m. ET)
• Sacramento Kings vs. Miami Heat (9 p.m. ET – Tape Delayed)

Thursday, July 23:

• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers (3:30 p.m. ET)
• Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 p.m. ET)

Friday, July 24:

• Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics (5 p.m. ET)
• Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET)

Saturday, July 25:

• Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic (Noon ET)
• Miami Heat vs. Utah Jazz (4 p.m. ET)

Sunday, July 26:

• Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Noon ET)
• Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks (4 p.m. ET)
• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors (6 p.m. ET)
• Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET)

Monday, July 27:

• Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3 p.m. ET)
• Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets (5:30 p.m. ET)

Tuesday, July 28:

• Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat (2 p.m. ET)
• San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers (4 p.m. ET)

Purpose of the Scrimmages

These scrimmages served as a warm-up for the official restart of the 2020 NBA season, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They allowed teams to regain game fitness and chemistry before the “seeding games” began, which determined playoff positioning.

Seeding Games and the Restart Format

Following the scrimmages, the 22 participating teams played eight “seeding games” to finalize the playoff bracket. These games were also televised and counted towards the regular season standings. The teams participating were the top eight teams in each conference based on winning percentage, along with six additional teams within six games of the eighth seed.

Conclusion

The NBA scrimmages provided a much-anticipated return to basketball for fans and players alike. The televised games on NBA TV and NBA League Pass allowed viewers to tune in and see how their teams were shaping up for the season restart. These exhibition matches served as a crucial stepping stone towards the culmination of the 2020 NBA season.