NBA's Board of Governors Reportedly Approve 22-Team Format for Return to Play (UPDATE)

Sources tell ESPN that each team will play eight regular season games at Disney's facilities in Orlando for seeding purposes before jumping into the playoffs. 

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UPDATED 6/4, 2:00 p.m. ET: Shams Charania reports that the NBA's Board of Governors have approved the 22-team format to resume the season.

The NBA's Board of Governors have approved the 22-team format to resume 2019-20 season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2020

Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the vote was 29-1 in favor of the format.

Source: 29-1 vote https://t.co/NT87g6EENp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 4, 2020

According to Shams, Portland was the lone team that opposed the plan.

Sources: Portland was the lone team that voted against the 22-team format. https://t.co/WxxADXEkNb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2020

See original story below.

Adam Silver and the NBA are reportedly eyeing a 22-team format to resume the 2019-2020 NBA season, Shams Charania reports.

Sources: NBA commissioner Adam Silver is planning to propose a 22-team format to resume the 2019-20 season

Story on @TheAthleticNBA with full details of the play-in tournament for 8th seed: https://t.co/d7X3X6uCNI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2020

Meanwhile, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that each team will play eight regular-season games at Disney's facilities in Orlando for seeding purposes before jumping into the playoffs. 

Each of the 22 teams will play eight regular season games in Orlando for seeding purposes for the playoffs, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

There will also be a possible play-in tournament to determine the eighth seeds. The tournament would be a "double-elimination format" featuring the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies as well as New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento, and San Antonio in the West. In the East, Washington would square off against the Magic for the final playoff slot.

Sources: Joining the 16 current playoff teams in Orlando: New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Antonio in the West and Washington in the East. If the 9th seed is more than 4 games behind the 8th, No. 8 makes playoffs; Fewer than 4 games, a play-in tournament.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

The entire process is expected to start on July 31 and last until Oct. 12. 

The play-in format requires a double-elimination format for the 8th seed, a single-elimination for the 9th seed, per sources.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

The NBA's Board of Governors is holding a meeting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday during which it is expected to ratify the proposal, effectively marking the return of the NBA. 

The NBA's Board of Governors has a 12:30 PM ET call on Thursday with the intention of approving the league's plan for a 22-team return-to-play in Orlando, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Sh7k6ylCdz

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

So the NBA's inviting 22 teams to Orlando: 13 Western Conference, 9 Eastern Conference. Eight-regular season games per team. Play-in for the 8th seeds. July 31-October 12. Vote tomorrow to ratify.
The NBA's back.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

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