2019–20 NBA season

{{main|List of 2019–20 NBA season transactions}}

• On March 1, 2019, Channing Frye announced his retirement from the NBA. Frye played 13 seasons in the NBA, winning one championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.{{cite web |title=Frye to retire at end of Cavaliers' season |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26114579|author=Staff writers |work=ESPN|access-date=April 26, 2019 |date=March 2, 2019}}
• On April 9, 2019, Dirk Nowitzki announced his retirement from the NBA. Nowitzki played all his 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks franchise, winning one championship and Finals MVP with the Mavericks in 2011, and also led them to a Finals appearance in 2006.{{cite web |title=Nowitzki officially announces retirement |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/09/dirk-nowitzki-announces-retirement |author=Around the League staff writers |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports |access-date=April 11, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019}}
• On June 10, 2019, Tony Parker announced his retirement from the NBA. He played 18 seasons in the NBA and was a four-time NBA champion and Finals MVP in 2007 with the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web |last1=Spears |first1=Marc J. |title='I can't be Tony Parker anymore' |url=https://andscape.com/features/tony-parker-retire-from-nba/ |work=Andscape |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=June 10, 2019 |date=June 10, 2019}}
• On June 28, 2019, Darren Collison announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for five franchises during his 10-year NBA career.{{cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/darren-collison-i-have-decided-to-retire-from-the-nba/amp/|title= Darren Collison: 'I have decided to retire from the NBA'|work=Andscape |publisher=ESPN, Inc.|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019}}
• On August 29, 2019, Zaza Pachulia announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for six franchises during his 16-year career. He won two championships with the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web|title=Warriors Announce Basketball Operations Promotions and Additions|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/basketball-operations-promotions-and-additions-20190829|website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=September 16, 2019}}
• On September 13, 2019, Shaun Livingston announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for ten franchises during his 15-year NBA career. He won three championships with the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web|title=3-time NBA champion Livingston retires at 34|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27607324|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=September 16, 2019}}
• On October 17, 2019, Luol Deng signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Chicago Bulls and officially retired as a Bull after playing 15 seasons. He was a two-time All-Star with the Bulls.{{cite web |title=Bulls Sign Luol Deng |url=https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-sign-luol-deng |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports |access-date=October 17, 2019}}
• On November 4, 2019, José Calderón announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for seven franchises during his 14-year NBA career.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/11/04/jose-calderon-played-pro-basketball-years-now-daunting-challenge-his-first-to-/|title= José Calderón played pro basketball for 20 years. Now, a daunting challenge: His first 9-to-5.|last=Golliver|first=Ben|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019}}
• On December 28, 2019, Zach Randolph announced his retirement from the NBA, Randolph played for five franchises during his 17-year NBA career. He was a two-time All-Star with the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Michael C. |title=Zach Randolph announces retirement: 'I gave this game my all' |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/28/zach-randolph-officially-announces-retirement |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports |access-date=December 29, 2019}}
• On February 16, 2020, Marcin Gortat announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for four franchises during his 12-year NBA career.{{cite web |last1=Homler |first1=Ryan |title=Former Wizard Marcin Gortat announces retirement |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/former-wizard-marcin-gortat-announces-retirement |website=NBC Sports Washington |access-date=February 20, 2020 |date=February 16, 2020}}
• On April 14, 2020, Trevor Booker announced his retirement from the NBA. He played for five franchises during his eight-year NBA career.{{Cite news |last=Coles |first=Joe |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/4/15/21221748/trevor-booker-former-jazz-forward-retires-nba |title=Former Jazz forward Trevor Booker retires from the NBA |date=April 15, 2020 |work=Deseret News |access-date=April 20, 2020}}
• On June 25, 2020, Vince Carter announced his retirement from the NBA. Carter played for eight franchises during a record 22-year career in the NBA; he is the only player to play in four different decades and was the last active player to have been drafted and played in the 1990s.{{cite web |title=Vince Carter announces his retirement from NBA after 22 seasons |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/25/vince-carter-announces-his-retirement |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 26, 2020 |language=en}}

Free agency negotiations began on June 30, 2019, at 6 p.m. ET, unlike July 1 from previous seasons.{{cite press release|title=Free agent negotiation period moved up to June 30|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/05/24/free-agent-negotiations-moved-june-30-official-release|website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2019}} Players officially signed after the July moratorium on July 6 at 12 p.m. ET.{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Reynolds|title=Deals becoming real as NBA moratorium period ends|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/07/06/deals-become-real-nba-moratorium-period-ends|website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC., Turner Sports|agency=Associated Press|date=July 6, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}}

• On April 11, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Larry Drew parted ways after Drew's contract expired after the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Cavs and Larry Drew Mutually Agree to Pursue Others Paths |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/coach-drew-190411 |access-date=April 11, 2019 |website=NBA.com}}
• On April 11, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies fired J. B. Bickerstaff after nearly two seasons.{{cite web|title=Memphis Grizzlies announce restructuring of basketball operations department|website=NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-announce-restructuring-of-basketball-operations-department-190411|date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411205020/https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-announce-restructuring-of-basketball-operations-department-190411 |access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019 }}
• On April 11, 2019, the Sacramento Kings fired Dave Joerger after three seasons. The team missed the playoffs for the thirteenth straight year.{{cite web|title=Dave Joerger Relieved as Kings Head Coach|website=NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/dave-joerger-relieved-kings-head-coach|date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411193405/https://www.nba.com/kings/news/dave-joerger-relieved-kings-head-coach |access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019 }}
• On April 12, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach Luke Walton parted ways after three seasons.{{cite web |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton Mutually Agree to Part Ways |website=NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/190412-luke-walton |access-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412210440/https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/190412-luke-walton |archive-date=April 12, 2019 }}
• On April 14, 2019, the Sacramento Kings hired Luke Walton as their new head coach.{{cite web |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Kings Announce Luke Walton as Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-announce-luke-walton-head-coach |access-date=April 14, 2019 |website=NBA.com}}
• On April 22, 2019, the Phoenix Suns fired Igor Kokoškov after one season. The team missed the playoffs for the ninth straight year.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |date=April 22, 2019 |title=Phoenix Suns Relieve Igor Kokoškov Of Head Coaching Duties |website= NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-relieve-igor-kokoskov-head-coaching-duties |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190423094206/https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-relieve-igor-kokoskov-head-coaching-duties|archive-date= April 23, 2019}}{{cite web|title=NBA Forum|url=https://www.discussnba.com|website=NBA.com|date=April 23, 2019|access-date=April 23, 2019}}
• On May 3, 2019, the Phoenix Suns hired Monty Williams as their new head coach.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Williams agrees to deal to become Suns coach |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/05/03/suns-agree-deal-monty-williams-coach |access-date=May 3, 2019 |website=NBA.com}}{{cite web |date=May 3, 2019 |title=SUNS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MONTY WILLIAMS TO BECOME NEW HEAD COACH |website=NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-agree-terms-monty-williams-become-new-head-coach |access-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503165346/https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-agree-terms-monty-williams-become-new-head-coach |archive-date=May 3, 2019 }}
• On May 13, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired John Beilein as their new head coach.{{cite web|title=Cavs Name John Beilein As New Head Coach|website=NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/beilein-head-coach-190513|access-date=May 13, 2019|date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513202415/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/beilein-head-coach-190513 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 }}
• On May 13, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach.{{cite web|title=Lakers Announce Hiring of Frank Vogel as Head Coach|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/190513-lakers-announce-hiring-frank-vogel-head-coach|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 13, 2019|date=May 13, 2019}}
• On June 11, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies hired Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach.{{cite web|title=Memphis Grizzlies name Taylor Jenkins head coach|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-name-taylor-jenkins-head-coach-190611|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 11, 2019|date=June 11, 2019}}

• On December 6, 2019, the New York Knicks fired head coach David Fizdale after a 4–18 start to the season and named Mike Miller as interim head coach.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=December 6, 2019 |title=David Fizdale fired by Knicks (4–18); Mike Miller is interim coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28238796 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Knicks Relieve David Fizdale of Head Coaching Duties |url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-relieve-david-fizdale-head-coaching-duties |access-date=December 6, 2019 |website=NBA.com}}
• On February 19, 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers named J. B. Bickerstaff the new head coach of the team after John Beilein resigned from the position.{{cite web|title=John Beilein officially resigns as coach, will have new role with Cavaliers|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28739106|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2020|date=February 19, 2020}}{{cite web |date=February 19, 2020 |title=John Beilein Resigns as Cavaliers Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/john-beilein-resigns-200219 |access-date=February 19, 2020 |website=NBA.com}}
• On March 7, 2020, the Brooklyn Nets and head coach Kenny Atkinson mutually agreed to part ways. Jacque Vaughn was named interim head coach.{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets, coach Kenny Atkinson mutually agree to part ways|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/07/brooklyn-nets-kenny-atkinson-part-ways|website=NBA.com|access-date=March 7, 2020|date=March 7, 2020}}{{cite web |date=March 7, 2020 |title=Brooklyn Nets and Kenny Atkinson Mutually Agree to Part Ways |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2020/03/07/brooklyn-nets-and-kenny-atkinson-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |access-date=March 7, 2020 |website=NBA.com}}

The preseason began on September 30 and ended on October 18.{{cite web|title=2019 NBA Preseason Schedule|url=https://pr.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2019/08/NBA-Preseason-Schedule-2019.pdf|website=NBA.com|access-date=August 28, 2019}}

The Indiana Pacers and the Sacramento Kings played two preseason games at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai, India on October 4 and 5, 2019.{{cite web|title=NBA to play first-ever games in India|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/20/nba-preseason-games-india-2019-official-release|website=NBA.com|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=April 11, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Wheat|last=Hotchkiss|title=Game Rewind: Pacers 132, Kings 131 (Preseason)|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/rewind-pacers-kings-191004|website=NBA.com|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Wheat|last=Hotchkiss|title=Game Rewind: Pacers 130, Kings 106 (Preseason)|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/rewind-pacers-kings-191005|website=NBA.com|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}

The Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets played two preseason games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City, Japan on October 8 and 10, 2019.{{cite web|title=Raptors to Play in 2019-20 NBA Preseason Games in Japan|url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/press-release/raptors-to-play-in-2019-20-nba-preseason-games-in-japan|website=NBA.com|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Ed|last=Odeven|title=Rockets down Raptors in finale of Japan Games|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/10/10/basketball/nba/rockets-raptors-finale-japan-games/|website=The Japan Times|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets played two preseason games in China, in Shanghai on October 10 and in Shenzhen on October 12.{{cite web|title=Lakers, Nets to play in 13th edition of NBA China Games|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/01/07/release-lakers-nets-nba-china-games-2019|website=NBA.com|date=January 7, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Joey|last=Ramirez|title=Lakers Put on Preseason Show in Shanghai|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/191010-lakers-put-preseason-show-shanghai|website=NBA.com|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Joey|last=Ramirez|title=Lakers Conclude Trip with Shenzhen Exhibition|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/191012-lakers-conclude-trip-shenzhen-exhibition|website=NBA.com|date=October 12, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks played one preseason game in Canada, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on October 17.{{cite web|title=NBA Canada Series 2019 to feature LA Clippers, Dallas Mavericks in Vancouver|url=https://ca.nba.com/news/2019-nba-canada-series-la-clippers-dallas-mavericks-vancouver/1m9wedrx970611a3mgtq01ureb|website=NBA.com|date=July 11, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Mavericks end preseason with 102-87 win over Kawhi Leonard, Clippers|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2019/10/18/mavericks-end-preseason-with-102-87-win-over-kawhi-leonard-clippers/|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|agency=Associated Press|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=October 18, 2019}}

The 2019–20 schedule was released on August 12, 2019,{{cite web|title=The NBA will announce its complete game and national television schedules for the 2019-20 regular season on Monday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. ET.|url=https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1159509823861301248|website=NBA.com|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=August 8, 2019}}{{cite web|title=NBA unveils 2019-20 game and national television schedules|url=https://www.nba.com/2019-20-nba-schedule-official-release|website=NBA.com|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}} and the regular season began on October 22, 2019.

On March 11, 2020, the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reformatted regular season, with 8 more games scheduled for 22 qualified teams going to the NBA Bubble in Orlando, was released on June 26. The regular season resumed play within the bubble on July 30.

;Eastern Conference

{{2019–20 NBA Atlantic standings}}

{{2019–20 NBA Central standings}}

{{2019–20 NBA Southeast standings}}

;Western Conference

{{2019–20 NBA Northwest standings}}

{{2019–20 NBA Pacific standings}}

{{2019–20 NBA Southwest standings}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{2019–20 NBA East standings}}

{{col-2}}

{{2019–20 NBA West standings}}

{{col-end}}

Notes

• z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs/clinched best record
• c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs/clinched conference
• y – Clinched division title
• x – Clinched playoff spot
• * – Division winner
• pi - Clinched play-in spot

The Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks played at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France on January 24, 2020, marking the first NBA regular season game in France.{{cite web |title=NBA to play first-ever regular season game in Paris |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/03/28/nba-paris-game-2020-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=April 11, 2019 |date=March 28, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets - January 24, 2020|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20200124/MILCHA|website=NBA.com|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=March 18, 2020}}

On June 7, 2019, the NBA announced that the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs would play at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, marking the first time that four NBA teams would play in Mexico City in one regular season. The Mavericks and Pistons played on December 12, 2019, and the Spurs and Suns played on December 14, 2019.{{cite web |title=Mavs, Pistons, Suns, Spurs to participate in NBA Mexico City Games 2019 |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/07/nba-mexico-city-games-2019-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 11, 2019 |date=June 7, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons - December 12, 2019|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20191212/DALDET|website=NBA.com|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=March 18, 2020}}{{cite web|title=San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns - December 14, 2019|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20191214/SASPHX|website=NBA.com|date=December 14, 2019|access-date=March 18, 2020}}

{{Main|NBA Play-In Tournament}}

Under the plan to restart the season in the NBA Bubble, a possible best-of-three play-in series for the final seed in each conference would be held if the ninth seed finished the regular season within four games of the eighth seed. The eighth seed would start with a de facto 1–0 lead, meaning that it would need just one win to advance, while the ninth seed must win two in a row.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Jonathan |date=2020-08-13 |title=NBA Play-in Game Rules: How Does Playoff Tournament Work in Bubble? |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2020/08/nba-play-in-game-tournament-rules-bubble-playoff/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Jonathan |date=2020-08-15 |title=NBA Play-in Game: What Happens if Blazers-Grizzlies Win or Lose? |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2020/08/nba-play-in-game-grizzlies-blazers-lose-win/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}}

{{#invoke:transcludable section|main|section=Eastern Conference Play-in

|text=Because eighth-place Orlando (33–40) finished {{frac|7|1|2}} games ahead ninth-place Washington (25–47), the Magic automatically advanced to the main rounds of the playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, with no play-in contested.{{cite web|title=NBA play in tournament: What is the NBA Play in event in Orlando Bubble?|url=https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-nba-play-in-tournament-what-is-the-nba-play-in-event-in-orlando-bubble/|website=The SportsRush|date=5 August 2020 |access-date= April 3, 2022}}

}}

{{#invoke:transcludable section|main|section=Western Conference Play-in|text=Because eighth-place Portland (35–39) only finished one-half games ahead of ninth-place Memphis (34–39), a play-in was required to determine the 8th seed in the Western Conference.{{cite web|title=Everything you need to know about Trail Blazers play-in game|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-trail-blazers/everything-you-need-know-about-trail-blazers-play-games-vs-memphis-grizzlies|website=NBC Sports|access-date= April 3, 2022}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=August 15 |time= |place=HP Field House, Bay Lake, Florida |TV=ABC

|team1=Memphis Grizzlies |score1=122

|team2=Portland Trail Blazers |score2=126

|report=[https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-por-0051900111 Recap]

|Q1= |Q2= |Q3= |Q4=

|points1= |points2=

|rebounds1= |rebounds2=

|assist1= |assist2=

|attendance=

|referee=

|series=Portland advances to the playoffs as the 8th seed

}}

}}

{{main|2020 NBA playoffs}}

The 2020 NBA playoffs began on August 17 and ended with the NBA Finals, which began on September 30 and ended on October 11.

{{excerpt|2020 NBA playoffs|Bracket|bold=yes|hat=no}}

{{Further|2020 Calabasas helicopter crash}}

On January 26, 2020, less than four weeks after commissioner emeritus David Stern died from a brain hemorrhage at age 77,{{cite web |last1=Mahoney |first1=Brian |title=NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern dies at 77 |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/01/david-stern-passes-away-77 |website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press |date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2020}} recently retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were tragically killed when the Sikorsky S-76B helicopter that they were on board crashed into a hillside in the city of Calabasas, California, around {{cvt|30|mi|km|0}} northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, while en route from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28569438/sources-kobe-bryant-daughter-gianna-die-helicopter-crash|title = Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna die in helicopter crash|date = January 26, 2020}}{{Cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Mike |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kobe-bryant-dead-five-time-nba-champion-was-41-report-1272963 |title=Kobe Bryant, NBA Superstar and Oscar Winner, Dies in Helicopter Crash |date=January 26, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 26, 2020 |last2=Kilkenny |first2=Katie |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211142136/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kobe-bryant-dead-five-time-nba-champion-was-41-report-1272963 |url-status=live }} Bryant was 41, the accident left behind no survivors and alongside the Bryants were seven others: baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, their 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, Sarah Chester, her 13-year-old daughter Payton, basketball coach Christina Mauser, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan. All occupants were killed on impact and on January 28, Bryant's identity was officially confirmed using fingerprints.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Autopsies show Kobe, all in crash died instantly|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29180785/kobe-bryant-helicopter-pilot-had-no-drugs-alcohol-system-autopsy-shows |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The following day, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner stated that the official cause of death for him and the eight others on the helicopter was blunt force trauma.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2020 |title=Coroner officials confirm IDs of five more people killed in crash of Kobe Bryant's helicopter |url=https://www.dailynews.com/coroner-officials-confirm-ids-of-five-more-people-killed-in-crash-of-kobe-bryants-helicopter |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=DailyNews.com}} A year later on February 9, 2021, the cause of the crash was officially determined to be Zobayan experiencing spatial disorientation due to heavy fog in the Los Angeles area that morning.{{cite web|last1=Melley|first1=Brian|last2=Dazio|first2=Stefanie|title=Kobe Bryant helicopter crash caused by pilot's poor decision making and disorientation, NTSB says|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-09/pilot-in-kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-disoriented-ntsb-says|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 15, 2024|date=February 9, 2021}}{{cite web|last1=Melley|first1=Brian|last2=Dazio|first2=Stefanie|title=Investigators report Kobe Bryant's pilot got disoriented in clouds|url=https://www.nba.com/news/investigators-report-bryants-pilot-got-disoriented-in-clouds|website=nba.com|access-date=May 15, 2024|date=February 9, 2021}}

File:Kobe Bryant (49447898368).jpg on the day of the crash]]

There were eight NBA games that were scheduled to be played on the day of the accident, the first of which being between the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets, as Pepsi Center (now Ball Arena) was the first NBA arena to acknowledge Bryant's death with the Nuggets holding a brief tribute prior to tip-off and concluding the memorial with the message "Rest in Peace, Mamba". Due to that game tipping off just minutes after the news was revealed for the first time, that game went on as scheduled as Denver defeated Houston, 117–110.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/40116132|title=Jokic helps Nuggets beat Rockets 117-110 on somber day|date = January 26, 2020}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} There were reportedly conversations held among league authorities on whether or not to cancel any of the other games that day. However, each match ultimately went on as planned, partly due to many feeling that Bryant himself would have wanted the games to go on.{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2020 |title=NBA did not seriously consider postponing Sunday games in wake of Kobe Bryant's death|agency=USA Today |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-death-nba-decision-no-game-postponements/4584628002/|access-date=July 6, 2024|website=usatoday.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2020 |title=Report: No teams requested Sunday's games be canceled after Kobe Bryant's death |agency=NBC Sports|url= https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/report-no-teams-requested-sundays-games-be-canceled-after-kobe-bryants-death|access-date=July 6, 2024|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}} Of the remaining seven games played that day, beginning with the Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs game, every matchup featured each side intentionally taking either an 8-second violation or a 24-second shot clock violation on their very first possession to start the game, serving as a homage to Bryant's number 8 jersey, which he wore from 1996–2006, and his number 24 jersey, which he donned from 2006–2016. These violation tributes were initially proposed by Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and the rest of the league subsequently followed suit throughout the rest of the Sunday and the following several days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-honored-24-second-shot-clock-violations/41070477/|title=NBA teams pay tribute to late Kobe Bryant with 24-second and 8-second violations|website=USA Today |date=January 26, 2020}} Notably, Kyrie Irving, who at the time was a member of the Brooklyn Nets, excused himself and left Madison Square Garden prior to tip-off against the New York Knicks, upon learning of Bryant’s death. Irving, who considered Bryant to be a mentor, often trained with Kobe and was and continues to be very close with the Bryant family.{{cite web |last1=Herbert |first1=James |title=Knicks, Nets mourn Kobe Bryant's death at somber, subdued Madison Square Garden meeting |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-nets-mourn-kobe-bryants-death-at-somber-subdued-madison-square-garden-meeting/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=February 17, 2020 |date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128152716/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-nets-mourn-kobe-bryants-death-at-somber-subdued-madison-square-garden-meeting/ |url-status=live }}

{{quote box|bgcolor=#F3F0FD |salign=right| quote = "Kobe is a brother to me. From the time I was in high school watching him from afar, to getting in this league at 18 and watching him up close, all the battles that we had throughout my career, the one thing that we always shared was that determination to just want to win, to just want to be great. The fact that I'm here now means so much to me. I want to continue, along with my teammates, his legacy. Not only for this year, but for as long as we can play this game of basketball that we love, because that's what Kobe Bryant would want. So in the words of Kobe Bryant. Mamba out. But in the words of us, not forgotten. Live on, brother." |source= — LeBron James' tribute to Kobe Bryant prior to the Laker's first game since the tragedy against the Portland Trail Blazers, five days after his death (January 31, 2020){{cite news|title=NBA reschedules postponed Lakers, Clippers game for April 9 at Staples Center|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-reschedules-postponed-lakers-clippers-game-for-april-9-at-staples-center/|work=CBS Sports|access-date=December 6, 2024|date=February 21, 2020}}|align=right|width=250px}}

The previous evening on January 25, LeBron James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list during a road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Bryant's hometown. James would eventually surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to stand alone as the NBA's all time leading scorer three years later on February 7, 2023. The Los Angeles Lakers learned of Bryant's death while flying back to Los Angeles from Philadelphia the following day, leaving everyone on board the flight in absolute shock and it was not long until their January 28 meeting with the crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers was postponed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/los-angeles-lakers-la-clippers-game-postponed-official-release#|title=Lakers vs. Clippers game postponed|website=NBA.com |date = January 27, 2020}} This marked the first time an NBA game was postponed for any reason since nearly seven years earlier when the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing led to the postponement of a Celtics game. The Lakers did not play a game in the wake of Bryant's death until January 31 when they hosted the Portland Trail Blazers on ESPN.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/game/0021900726|title=LAKERS RETURN AFTER BRYANT'S DEATH, LOSE 127-119 TO BLAZERS|website=NBA.com |date=February 1, 2020}} Prior to the commencement of the game, the Lakers conducted a 24-minute long, heavily detailed tribute to Bryant, his daughter and the seven other victims. This tribute began with Usher performing "Amazing Grace" and was capped off by a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner by Boyz II Men before being concluded with a speech from James, who initially had a monologue prepared, but quickly tossed his index card onto the hardwood after saying "Laker Nation man, I would be selling y’all short if I read off this shit, so I’m going to go straight from the heart", as he proceeded to address a sorrowful Staples Center crowd with an emotional, improvised oration, ending his speech with "...so in the words of Kobe Bryant: ‘Mamba out’, but in the words of us: ‘not forgotten’, live on brother".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/sports/basketball/lakers-blazers-kobe.html|title =Lakers Fall to Blazers on Emotional Night Honoring Kobe Bryant|work =The New York Times|date=January 31, 2020|last1 =Stein|first1 =Marc}} Following the eulogy, each member of the Lakers’ starting five would be introduced with Bryant’s credentials.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/01/sports/basketball/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-lakers.html|title=The Lakers Remember Kobe Bryant With a Game 'Straight From the Heart'|work=The New York Times|date=February 1, 2020|last1 =Cacciola|first1 =Scott}} Portland won 127–119, in what turned out to be the second most watched NBA broadcast ever in ESPN's history, averaging 4.41 million viewers.{{cite news |date=February 3, 2020 |title=Kobe Bryant Tribute Game 2nd Most Watched in ESPN NBA History |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/kobe-bryant-tribute-game-2nd-most-watched-in-espn-nba-history/2303341/ |access-date=April 24, 2020 |website=NBCLosAngeles.com |agency=Associated Press}} The first ever head-to-head meeting between Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming in 2003 was the only one with more viewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2020/02/lakers-blazers-ratings-viewership-espn/#:~:text=Friday%27s%20Blazers%2DLakers%20NBA%20regular,(dating%20back%20to%202002).|title =Large audience for Lakers' first game since Kobe tragedy|date = January 31, 2020}}

The NBA also renamed the NBA All Star Game MVP Award to the NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player award, with Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers being the inaugural recipient, who a few days after the crash revealed that he and Bryant shared the same pilot, Ara Zobayan, who also lost his life in the accident.{{cite web |last1=Andone |first1=Dakin |title=Kawhi Leonard says he used the same helicopter pilot as Kobe Bryant |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/30/us/kawhi-leonard-kobe-bryant-helicopter-pilot/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=May 12, 2020 |date=January 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131214712/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/30/us/kawhi-leonard-kobe-bryant-helicopter-pilot/index.html |url-status=live }} The 2020 NBA All Star Game saw every player on Team LeBron wear the jersey number two for Gianna and every player on Team Giannis wear the jersey number 24 for Kobe. The All Star Game also temporarily changed to an Echelon-style format starting in 2020 with the leading score at the end of the third quarter plus 24 (Bryant's jersey number from 2006–2016) acting as the target score. This format would be scrapped however in 2023, with that year’s game in Salt Lake City being the final one under this format. The postponed Lakers-Clippers game was originally planned to be made up on April 9, however due to the suspension of the season on March 11, it was made up at the very beginning of the NBA restart on July 30 with the Lakers emerging victorious 103–101.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/game/0021901232|title =JAMES' LAYUP LATE LIFTS LAKERS PAST CLIPPERS, 103-101|website =NBA.com|date =July 31, 2020}}

On February 7, Bryant and his daughter were buried in a private funeral in Pacific View Memorial Park in the Corona del Mar neighborhood of Newport Beach, California.{{cite news|last1=Boren|first1=Cindy|title=Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were buried near their home in a private service last week|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/02/12/kobe-bryant-burial-service/|access-date=February 13, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=WP Company LLC|date=February 12, 2020|location=Washington, D.C.}} A public memorial service was held on February 24 (2/24, marking both Kobe's and Gianna's jersey numbers) at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) with Jimmy Kimmel hosting. Speakers at the service included Bryant's widowed wife Vanessa, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O'Neal, along with Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi and Geno Auriemma, Taurasi's coach at Connecticut, where Gianna had been aspiring to play.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-02-07/vanessa-bryant-announces-a-celebration-of-life-for-kobe-and-gian|title=Vanessa Bryant announces 'A Celebration of Life' for Kobe and Gianna|first=Broderick|last=Turner|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2020|work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/02/07/kobe-bryant-memorial-service-staples-center/|title=Kobe Bryant public memorial service set for Feb. 24 at Staples Center|first=Desmond|last=Bieler|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2020|newspaper=Washington Post}}{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/06/us/kobe-bryant-memorial-service/index.html|title=Kobe Bryant memorial service will be held February 24 at Staples Center|first1=Steve|last1=Almasy|first2=Chloe|last2=Melas|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2020|publisher=CNN}}

On October 11, 2020, the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2020 NBA Finals to capture their 17th championship in franchise history and would dedicate the victory and their season to Bryant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-honors-kobe-bryant-following-lakers-nba-finals-win-hope-i-made-you-proud/|title=LeBron James honors Kobe Bryant following Lakers' NBA Finals win: 'Hope I made you proud'|date =October 15, 2020}}

In his first year of eligibility, Bryant was named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, just less than three weeks after his death,{{cite news|first=Tania|last=Ganguli|title=Kobe Bryant leads Hall of Fame finalists during somber day|date=February 14, 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-02-14/kobe-bryant-leads-hall-of-fame-finalist-list-for-2020|access-date=May 15, 2021}} before being posthumously inducted in April 2020.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Woike|title=Lakers legend Kobe Bryant to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame|date=April 4, 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-04-04/lakers-legend-kobe-bryant-officially-2020-basketball-hall-of-fame-class|access-date=May 15, 2021}} His formal induction was delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|title=Kobe Bryant inducted posthumously into Basketball Hall of Fame|date=May 16, 2021|work=France24.com|agency=AFP|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210516-kobe-bryant-inducted-posthumously-into-basketball-hall-of-fame|access-date=May 16, 2021}} In October 2021, Bryant was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced|title=NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced|website=NBA.com}} During the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, he was one of fifteen members of that honorary team to be posthumously lionized during a halftime ceremony dedicated to that 75th Anniversary Team, with the mention of Bryant inducing one of, if not the loudest crowd reaction of the commemoration.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2022/02/21/nba-75th-anniversary-team-2022-all-star-game|title=NBA Honors 75th Anniversary Team With Touching Ceremony at 2022 All-Star Game|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

{{Main|Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season}}

On March 11, 2020, the game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was abruptly postponed shortly before tipoff after it was discovered that the Jazz's player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|first=Royce|last=Young|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28887057|title=Sources: Jazz center Rudy Gobert tests positive for coronavirus|date=March 11, 2020|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 12, 2020}} That same evening, the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings was also postponed last minute once it was discovered that a referee for the game, Courtney Kirkland, had worked a Utah Jazz game just two days prior.{{Cite web|first=Andrew|last=Lopez|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28888271|title=Pelicans-Kings game postponed over concern ref worked Utah game earlier in week|website=ESPN.com|date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020}} Kirkland later tested negative for COVID-19.{{Cite web|first=Ali|last=Thanawalla|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/nba-rumors-kings-pelicans-referee-tests-negative-coronavirus|title=Kings-Pelicans referee tests negative for coronavirus|website=NBCSports.com|date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020}} The NBA then suspended the remainder of the 2019–20 season "until further notice" following the completion of games already underway.{{cite web |title=NBA to suspend season following Wednesday's games |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/11/nba-suspend-season-following-wednesdays-games |website=NBA.com |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=March 11, 2020}} This was the first time a regular season had been interrupted since the 2011 NBA lockout. The following day, Gobert's teammate Donovan Mitchell also tested positive.{{cite web |last1=Kaskey-Blomain |first1=Michael |title=Coronavirus: Donovan Mitchell speaks out for first time since testing positive for COVID-19|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/coronavirus-donovan-mitchell-speaks-out-for-first-time-since-testing-positive-for-covid-19/ |website=CBS Sports |date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020}} On March 14, Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood became the third NBA player to test positive for the virus, and the first outside of the Jazz.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Duncan|title=Detroit Pistons Center Christian Wood Tests Positive For Coronavirus|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/duncansmith/2020/03/14/detroit-pistons-center-christian-wood-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/#a5403dc603d0|website=Forbes|date=March 14, 2020|access-date=March 16, 2020}} On March 17, four Brooklyn Nets players, including superstar Kevin Durant, tested positive for the virus.{{cite web|title=Kevin Durant among four Nets players to test positive for the coronavirus|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28917855|website=ESPN.com|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=March 18, 2020}} On March 19, two players for the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, tested positive for COVID-19. All players recovered and were cleared by local health officials.{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Quinn|title=Coronavirus: Pistons' Christian Wood 'fully recovered' from COVID-19, according to agent|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/coronavirus-pistons-christian-wood-fully-recovered-from-covid-19-according-to-agent/|website=CBS Sports|date=March 25, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web|first=Aaron|last=Falk|title=Utah Jazz players, staff cleared by health department after 14 days of COVID-19 quarantine and isolation|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-players-staff-cleared-health-department-after-14-days-covid-19-quarantine-and|website=NBA.com|date=March 27, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web|first=Jace|last=Evans|title=Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart says he's recovered from coronavirus|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2020/03/29/marcus-smart-cleared-coronavirus-covid-19/2937849001/|website=USA Today|date=March 29, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Owens|title=Coronavirus: Lakers players clear of COVID-19 symptoms|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-players-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-are-now-symptomfree-195524446.html|website=Yahoo Sports|date=March 31, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Zillgitt|title=Four Nets players, including Kevin Durant, who had coronavirus are symptom-free|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/nets/2020/04/01/coronavirus-cases-four-nets-player-including-kevin-durant-cleared/5102980002/|website=USA Today|date=April 1, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}

On May 23, it was announced that the NBA were in negotiations with The Walt Disney Company about the possibility to finish the season at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Tim |title=NBA has 'exploratory' talks with Disney about resuming season |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/05/23/nba-talking-disney-about-resuming-season-ap |website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 28, 2020 |date=May 23, 2020}} On May 29, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office informed Board of Governors that July 31 was the target date for a season return.{{cite web |last1=Cwik |first1=Chris |title=Report: NBA targeting July 31 to resume season, owners expected to approve Orlando plan |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/report-nba-targeting-july-31-to-resume-season-191941652.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=June 1, 2020 |date=May 29, 2020}}

On June 4, the NBA Board of Governors approved a plan to restart the season on July 31 in Orlando. Under this plan, 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams, all clubs within six games of a playoff spot, would play eight regular-season "seeding" games. Play-in games for the eighth seed in each conference would then be held if the ninth seed finishes the regular season within four games of the eighth seed.{{cite news |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |authorlink=Adrian Wojnarowski |date=June 4, 2020 |title=NBA approves 22-team format to finish season |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29267294 |access-date=June 4, 2020}} This proposal was then approved by members of the National Basketball Players Association on June 5.{{cite news| first=Adrian| last=Wojnarowski| url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29272443| title=NBPA reps vote to approve 22-team format to finish season| website=ESPN.com| date=June 5, 2020| access-date=June 5, 2020}}

{{see also|2020 American athlete strikes}}

On August 26, 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks chose not to play in game 5 of the playoff series against the Orlando Magic to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake.{{Cite web|title=NBA postpones games after Bucks lead boycott in protest |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/report-bucks-boycotting-game-5-series-vs-magic/|website=sportsnet.ca|date=August 26, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}} The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that, in light of the Milwaukee Bucks striking for their game, the following games of the day would be postponed.{{Cite web|title=NBA postpones playoff games|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/26/nba-playoff-games-postponed|work=NBA.com|date=August 26, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}} The Toronto Raptors had also discussed striking for their second-round playoff series with the Boston Celtics in frustration with a lack of social or legislative change after the murder of George Floyd and as a result of Blake's shooting before the Bucks' strike a few days later.{{Cite web|title=Emotional, frustrated Raptors have discussed boycott in wake of Jacob Blake shooting - Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/emotional-frustrated-raptors-discussed-boycott-wake-jacob-blake-shooting/|website=sportsnet.ca|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}}

{{main|2020 NBA Bubble}}

On June 16, 2020, the NBA released a medical protocol to be used during the season restart in the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches, officials, and staff.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29321006|title=In documents, NBA details coronavirus testing protocols, including 2-week resting period for positive tests|work=ESPN |date=June 16, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2020}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2020/07/21/nba-bubble-unique-experience-disney|title=Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience|first=Chris|last=Mannix|authorlink=The Chris Mannix Show|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} This included regular testing for COVID-19 prior to and throughout the season restart, wearing a face covering or mask, and social distancing to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 from occurring. Players and coaches who were deemed "high-risk individuals" by their team, or players who had already suffered season-ending injuries prior to season suspension, were not permitted to play and also did not lose any salary. Any player who was medically cleared could also decline to participate, but as a result lost their corresponding paychecks.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29320883|title=Inside the NBA's 100-page safety plan: Big questions and key details|work=ESPN |date=June 16, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2020}}

Phase 1 of the plan ran from June 16 to 22, consisting of players traveling back to the home cities of their respective teams. In Phase 2 from June 23 to 30, COVID-19 tests began being administered to players every other day. In Phase 3 from July 1 to 11, mandatory individual workouts were conducted at team facilities, but group workouts were prohibited.

Phase 4 ran from July 7 to 21, consisting of the teams traveling to Disney World and conducting practices. Any player who tested positive in the previous phases could not travel until he was medically cleared to do so. Once teams arrive in Orlando, players and staff were isolated in their rooms, requiring to pass two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests 24 hours apart before being let out of this quarantine. They were still regularly tested for COVID-19 afterwards. A player who tested positive would be isolated and re-tested in case of a false positive; if COVID-19 was definitely confirmed, he would be quarantined for at least 14 days to recover.

Players and staff were not permitted into another's room, nor were they be able to socialize with players on other teams staying at a different hotel building. They had access to food and recreational activities within their hotel's bubble, but they had to wear masks indoors except when eating. Anybody who left the bubble without prior approval had to be quarantined for at least 10 days.

During Phase 5 from July 22 to 29, teams played three scrimmages against the other teams staying at the same hotel. During Phase 6, when the regular-season seeding games and playoffs were under way and teams began to be eliminated from contention, players and staff on those clubs had to pass one final COVID-19 test before they could leave Disney World.

The NBA also set up an anonymous hotline for players to report protocol violations while in the bubble.{{cite web |url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/06/17/nba-creating-covid-19-violation-hotline-for-restart-in-orlando/|title=NBA creating COVID-19 violation hotline for restart in Orlando|work=NBC Sports |date=June 17, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/nba-bubble-snitch-hotline.html|title=Gossip Girl Is Rolling in Her Digital Grave: The NBA Bubble Has a 'Snitch Hotline'|work=Vulture |date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2020}}

While the statistics from the seeding games were counted towards players' regular season totals, the NBA ruled that its end-of-season awards were only based on games through March 11 and excluded the seeding games.{{cite news|last=Helin|first=Kurt|title=NBA says MVP, other end-of-season awards based on the season up to March 11|date=July 17, 2020|work=Pro Basketball Talk|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/07/17/nba-says-mvp-other-end-of-season-awards-based-on-season-up-to-march-11/|access-date=August 14, 2020}} Finalist for the major awards were announced during the seeding games.{{cite press release|title=NBA reveals 2019-20 finalists for Kia Performance Awards and Coach of the Year|date=August 8, 2020|publisher=NBA|url=https://pr.nba.com/2020-awards-finalists/|access-date=September 8, 2020}} Due to the pandemic, the NBA Awards show held the prior three years was cancelled, and award winners were instead announced on TNT during their coverage of the 2020 playoffs.{{cite news|first=Tyler|last=Conway|title=2019-20 NBA Award Voting to Be Held Ahead of Season Restart|date=July 22, 2020|work=Bleacher Report|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2901079-2019-20-nba-award-voting-to-be-held-ahead-of-season-restart|access-date=September 8, 2020}}{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Anderson|title=Here's The Bee's 2020 NBA awards ballot for MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-NBA and more|date=August 12, 2020|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article244869397.html|access-date=August 12, 2020}}

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• All-NBA First Team:{{cite web|title=Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James unanimously selected to 2019-20 All-NBA First Team|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/09/16/nba-2019-20-all-nba-teams-official-release|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 16, 2020|date=September 16, 2020}}
• F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
• C Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
• G Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
• G James Harden, Houston Rockets

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• All-NBA Second Team:
• F Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
• F Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
• C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
• G Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder
• G Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

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• All-NBA Third Team:
• F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
• F Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
• C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
• G Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
• G Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets

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• NBA All-Defensive First Team:{{cite web|title=Antetokounmpo, Davis lead 2019-20 All-Defensive First Team|url=https://www.nba.com/2019-20-all-defensive-teams-official-release|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 8, 2020|date=September 9, 2020}}
• F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• F Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
• C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
• G Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
• G Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

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• NBA All-Defensive Second Team:
• F Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• F Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
• C Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
• G Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks
• G Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers

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• NBA All-Rookie First Team:{{cite web|title=Ja Morant, Zion Williamsom headline 2019-20 Kia All-Rookie First Team |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/09/15/nba-2019-20-all-rookie-first-team-official-release|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 15, 2020|date=September 15, 2020}}
• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat
• Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
• Eric Paschall, Golden State Warriors

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• NBA All-Rookie Second Team:
• Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
• Terence Davis, Toronto Raptors
• Coby White, Chicago Bulls
• P. J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets
• Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards

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The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month.

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month.

The following coaches were named the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month.

Awards for seeding games play were also announced, with Damian Lillard named Player of the Seeding Games after averaging 37.6 points per game.{{cite web|title=Damian Lillard, Devin Booker headline Kia NBA Seeding Games awards|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/15/kia-nba-seeding-games-awards|website=NBA.com|date=August 15, 2020|access-date=August 16, 2020}}

• This was the Golden State Warriors' first season at the new Chase Center in San Francisco after playing at Oracle Arena in Oakland from 1971 to 2019. The Warriors played their first game there in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5, 2019.{{cite web|title=Warriors Announce First Preseason Game at Chase Center|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/chase-center-warriors-preseason-20190322|website=Warriors.com|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Wes|last=Goldberg|title=Warriors fall flat in first game at Chase Center|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/10/05/warriors-fall-flat-in-first-game-at-chase-center/|website=The Mercury News|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019}} They played their first regular season game there against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 24, 2019.{{cite web|title=Golden State Warriors Announce 2019-20 Season Schedule|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/schedule-announcement-20190812|website=NBA.com|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Warriors Open Chase Center with Loss to the Clippers|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/gameday/20191024/recap|website=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019}}
• The Cleveland Cavaliers' home arena, formerly known as Quicken Loans Arena, was renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 9, 2019.{{cite web |last1=Withers |first1=Tom |title=Cavs' arena renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/09/cavs-arena-quicken-loans-rocket-mortgage-fieldhouse |website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press |access-date=April 11, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019}}

This was the fourth year of the current nine-year contracts with ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.{{cite web|title=NBA extends television deals with ESPN, TNT|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11652297|website=ESPN.com|date=February 14, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2019}}

Under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the Fox Sports Regional Networks were required to be sold off to third parties by June 18, 2019.{{cite news | first1=Charlie |last1=Gasparino |first2=Lydia |last2=Moynihan |title=Fox Regional Sports Network sale nears conclusion as final round bids come due April 15 | url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/fox-regional-sports-network-sale-nears-conclusion-as-final-round-bids-come-due-april-15 | publisher=Fox Business | date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=August 29, 2019}} Fox also invoked a clause to give Yankee Global Enterprises the rights to buy their stake back in the YES Network, which aired the local broadcasts to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/yankees-are-said-to-want-yes-network-back-if-fox-sells-assets|title=Yankees Consider Buying Back YES If Fox Sells Assets|last=Soshnick|first=Scott|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615200550/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/yankees-are-said-to-want-yes-network-back-if-fox-sells-assets|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}} Including YES, the Fox Sports Regional Networks held the local TV rights to a combined total of 44 NHL, NBA, and MLB teams.{{cite news | first=Jacob |last=Feldman | url=https://www.si.com/tech-media/2018/07/12/fox-regional-sports-networks-potential-buyers-comcast-disney | title=Five Potential Buyers for Fox's 22 Regional Sports Networks | publisher=SI.com | date=July 12, 2018 |access-date=August 28, 2019}} On March 8, YES was sold to a consortium including Yankee Global Enterprises, Amazon, and Sinclair Broadcast Group for $3.5 billion.{{cite news | url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/yes-network-sold-for-3-5b-to-yankees-amazon-sinclair-private-equity-reports-1202572010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309052520/https://deadline.com/2019/03/yes-network-sold-for-3-5b-to-yankees-amazon-sinclair-private-equity-reports-1202572010/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 9, 2019 | title=YES Network Sold For $3.5B To Yankees, Amazon, Sinclair, Private Equity | publisher=Deadline Hollywood | first=Dade | last=Hayes | date=March 8, 2019 |access-date=August 28, 2019}} Then on May 3, Sinclair and Entertainment Studios agreed to purchase the rest of the Fox Sports Regional Networks.{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/ | title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner | last=Littleton | first=Cynthia | publisher=Variety|date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=August 28, 2019}} The networks continued to temporarily use the Fox Sports name under a transitional license agreement while Sinclair explored re-branding options.{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/08/26/sinclair-ceo-see-massive-opportunity-with.html|title=Sinclair CEO see 'massive opportunity' with rebranding of Fox sports networks|publisher=Baltimore Business Journal|date=August 26, 2019}}

File:Sacramento Kings shooting after postponement, 2020-03-11 (rotated).jpg being emptied on March 11, 2020, after the game between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed due to COVID-19]]

• On October 23, 2019, Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets set the record for most points (50) in debut game with new team{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/kyrie-irving-points-new-team-debut-nets|title=Kyrie Irving's 50 points set NBA record in debut with new team|date=October 23, 2019|website=NBA.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/nets/news/the-lifelong-nets-fans-had-a-dream-night-at-barclays-center|title=Kyrie Irving sets NBA record by scoring 50 points in Nets debut, but misses potential game winner as Brooklyn falls in OT to Wolves|date=October 24, 2019|website=}}
• On October 24, 2019, Vince Carter of the Atlanta Hawks became the first player in NBA history to play 22 seasons. Carter officially checked in the game at 6:52 in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons.{{cite web |title=Vince Carter checks in for Hawks, begins record 22nd season |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/10/24/vince-carter-checks-record-22nd-season |website=NBA.com |date=October 24, 2019 |access-date=November 4, 2019}}
• On October 29, 2019, Anthony Davis set the record for most free throws made (18) in a quarter{{Cite web |title=Anthony Davis makes history with 40-20 game vs. Grizzlies |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/10/30/anthony-davis-historic-40-20-night |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014054806/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/10/30/anthony-davis-historic-40-20-night |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=August 12, 2020 |website=nba.com}}
• On November 3, 2019, Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks became the youngest player to record consecutive 25-point triple-doubles.{{cite web|title=Luka Doncic notches another historic triple-double in win over Cavaliers|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/11/04/luka-doncic-notches-another-triple-double-in-win-over-cavaliers/|website=NBC Sports|agency=Associated Press|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2020}}
• On November 19, 2019, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams.{{cite web |last1=McMenamin |first1=Dave |title=LeBron James first player with triple-double vs. all 30 teams |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28119808|website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 27, 2020 |date=November 19, 2019}}
• On November 25, 2019, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers passed Alex English for 18th on the NBA all-time scoring list.
• On November 27, 2019, LeBron James became the fourth player in NBA history to reach 33,000 career points.{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Helin |title=LeBron James becomes fourth player in NBA history to score 33,000 points |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-becomes-fourth-player-150045095.html |website=NBC Sports |date=November 28, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911143029/https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-becomes-fourth-player-150045095.html |url-status=dead }}
• On December 3, 2019, James Harden set a record for the most free throws made (24) in a game with no misses{{Cite web |last=Botkin |first=Brad |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Rockets likely to protest outcome of Tuesday's loss to Spurs over missed James Harden dunk, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rockets-likely-to-protest-outcome-of-tuesdays-loss-to-spurs-over-missed-james-harden-dunk-per-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221072409/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rockets-likely-to-protest-outcome-of-tuesdays-loss-to-spurs-over-missed-james-harden-dunk-per-report/ |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |website=cbssports.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-free-throws-made-in-a-game-no-misses|title=Top 20 most free throws made in a game, no misses|date=November 28, 2023|website=}}
• On December 8, 2019, Luka Dončić surpassed the record for the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Michael Jordan previously held the record, recording 18 consecutive games with at least 20–5–5 between March 13, 1989, and April 4, 1989.{{cite web |title= Luka Doncic passes Michael Jordan with 19th straight game of 20-5-5 |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/08/doncic-passes-jordan-20-5-5 |website=nba.com |access-date=December 11, 2019}}
• On December 10, 2019, Vince Carter became the fifth player in NBA history to play at least 1,500 games.{{cite web |first=Jack |last=Baer |title=Vince Carter becomes fifth player in NBA history to appear in 1,500 games |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/vince-carter-hawks-nba-1500-games-parish-013212192.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=December 10, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019}}
• On December 14, 2019, James Harden became the first player to record back-to-back 50-point games with more than 10 three-pointers{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/14/us/james-harden-50-point-games-trnd/index.html|title=James Harden becomes the first player in NBA history to record back-to-back 50-point games with more than 10 three-pointers|date=December 14, 2019|website=CNN}}
• On December 28, 2019, Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans, in addition to Justin Holiday and Aaron Holiday of the Indiana Pacers, became the first three brothers to play in the same NBA game.{{cite web |title=Holiday brothers set NBA record as all three play during Pacers-Pelicans game |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/28/holiday-brothers-nba-record-same-game |website=NBA.com |date=December 28, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2019}}
• On December 29, 2019, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30,000 points, 9,000 rebounds and 9,000 assists.{{cite web |last1=Orense |first1=Ralph |title=LeBron James Becomes Only player In NBA history With 30K Points, 9K Rebounds, 9K Assists |url=https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-becomes-only-player-nba-history-with-30k-points-9k-rebounds-9k-assists/ |website=ClutchPoints.com |access-date=January 2, 2020 |date=December 30, 2019}}
• On January 1, 2020, NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern died at the age of 77, due to a brain hemorrhage sustained a few weeks prior.{{cite web |last1=Mahoney |first1=Brian |title=NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern dies at 77 |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/01/david-stern-passes-away-77 |website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press |date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2020}} For the remainder of the season, all thirty teams wore a black stripe of fabric on the left side of their jerseys in memory of Stern.{{cite news|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/01/03/all-30-nba-teams-to-wear-black-bands-on-uniform-rest-of-season-to-honor-david-stern/|title=All 30 NBA teams to wear black bands on uniform rest of season to honor David Stern|last=Hein|first=Kurt|date=January 3, 2020|website=NBC Sports|access-date=January 25, 2020}}
• On January 4, 2020, Vince Carter became the only player in NBA history to have played in four different decades.{{cite web |title=Vince Carter becomes first NBA player to appear in four decades |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28416883|website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 4, 2020 |date=January 4, 2020}}
• On January 13, 2020, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 20-rebound triple-double at 21 years and 185 days old.{{cite web |title=Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks rebounding triple-double mark held by Shaq |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/shai-gilgeous-alexander-shaquille-oneal-triple-double-thunder-nba-054914008.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=January 14, 2020}}
• On January 15, 2020, Chandler Parsons of the Atlanta Hawks was hit by a drunk driver, suffering potentially career-ending injuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/23/chandler-parsons-california-treatment-car-accident/|title=Chandler Parsons Returns To California For Treatment Following Car Accident|website=TMZ|date=January 23, 2020 }}
• On January 17, 2020, Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers became the 18th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points.
• On January 20, 2020, Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets became the second player to record a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams.{{cite web |last1=DuBose |first1=Ben |title=Russell Westbrook now has a triple-double vs. every NBA team after getting one vs. Thunder |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rockets/2020/01/20/russell-westbrook-triple-double-every-nba-team/41035359/ |website=USA Today |access-date=January 27, 2020 |date=January 20, 2020}}
• On January 22, 2020, Vince Carter moved past Alex English for 19th on the NBA all-time scoring list.{{cite web |last1=Alamodin |first1=Christian |title=Vince Carter Moves Up to 19th in All-Time Scoring List |url=https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-vince-carter-moves-up-to-19th-in-all-time-scoring-list/ |website=ClutchPoints.com |access-date=January 24, 2020 |date=January 23, 2020}}
• On January 25, 2020, LeBron James moved past Kobe Bryant for 3rd on the NBA all-time scoring list.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28563822|title=LeBron James surpasses Kobe Bryant for third on all-time scoring list|date=January 25, 2020|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 26, 2020}}
• On January 26, 2020, a day after being passed by LeBron James for 3rd on the NBA's all-time scoring list, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28569415|date=January 26, 2020|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 26, 2020|title=NBA, sports worlds mourn the death of Kobe Bryant }} During the first minute of each game for this day (outside of the first matchup of the day between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, which tipped off just minutes after news of the tragedy had broken), players paid tribute by dribbling through the 24-second shot clock violation and the 8-second backcourt violation, referencing the two numbers Bryant wore during his career.{{cite web |last1=Gartland |first1=Dan |title=Teams Honor Kobe With 8- and 24-Second Violations |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/01/27/kobe-bryant-tribute-shot-clock-violation |website=SI.com |date=January 27, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2020}} In addition to this, the 2020 NBA All-Star Game was played with jersey numbers 24 and 2, the latter to pay tribute to Gianna.{{cite web|first=Shaun|last=Powell|title=Revamped format adds intrigue, spice to 2020 All-Star Game|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/02/15/2020-all-star-game-advance|website=NBA.com|date=February 16, 2020|access-date=March 18, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Team LeBron edges Team Giannis in All-Star Thriller|url=https://www.nba.com/allstar/2020/events/all-star-game|website=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|date=February 17, 2020|access-date=March 18, 2020}}
• On January 27, the NBA announced that they would postpone the January 28 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center out of respect to Bryant, marking the first time an NBA game was postponed for any reason since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing led to the postponement of a Celtics game.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-postpones-tuesdays-lakers-clippers-game-after-kobe-bryants-death-223637591.html|title=NBA postpones Tuesday's Lakers-Clippers game after Kobe Bryant's death|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=January 27, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2020}} The game was later originally rescheduled for April 9,{{cite web |title=NBA reschedules postponed Lakers, Clippers game for April 9 at Staples Center|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-reschedules-postponed-lakers-clippers-game-for-april-9-at-staples-center/|website=CBSSports.com |date=February 22, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020}} but was eventually played as the first game of the NBA restart on July 30 following the suspension of play due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Close |first1=David |last2=Jackson |first2=Amanda |last3=Hanna |first3=Jason |title=NBA suspends season after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tests positive for coronavirus |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/11/us/nba-season-suspended-spt-trnd/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=March 16, 2020 |date=March 12, 2020}}
• On January 29, 2020, Carmelo Anthony moved past Kevin Garnett for 17th on the NBA all-time scoring list.
• On January 31, 2020, Vince Carter moved up to third place in the NBA all-time games played list with 1,523 passing Dirk Nowitzki in the process.{{Cite web|last=Ibarrola|first=Kriel|date=January 31, 2020|title=Vince Carter Now 3rd On The All-time Games Played List|url=https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-vince-carter-moves-up-to-3rd-on-the-all-time-games-played-list/|url-status=live|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=ClutchPoints|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607104546/https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-vince-carter-moves-up-to-3rd-on-the-all-time-games-played-list/ |archive-date=June 7, 2020 }}
• On February 23, 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks clinched the earliest playoff berth with their 137–134 win over the Washington Wizards.{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Bucks Clinch Earliest Playoff Berth in Modern NBA History |url=https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/sports/milwaukee-bucks-clinch-earliest-playoff-berth |website=Insidehook.com |access-date=March 1, 2020}}
• On March 1, 2020, Shake Milton tied the record for most consecutive 3-point field goals made (13) over a span of three games; Brent Price and Terry Mills did as well{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878708-76ers-shake-milton-sets-nba-record-for-most-consecutive-made-3-pointers|title=76ers' Shake Milton Ties NBA Record for Most Consecutive Made 3-Pointers|date=March 1, 2020|website=Bleacher Report}}{{Cite web|url=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/01/sixers-guard-shake-milton-makes-nba-history-in-matchup-vs-clippers/|title=Sixers guard Shake Milton makes NBA history in matchup vs. Clippers|date=March 1, 2020|website=}}
• On March 11, 2020, the league suspended the season indefinitely after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, just hours after the WHO declared the disease a pandemic on the same day. Gobert's positive test causes a massive ripple effect, causing a shutdown of the vast majority of the sports world within five days. Vince Carter played in what became his final game, hitting a three-pointer as his final shot in a 136–131 overtime loss to the New York Knicks.{{cite web|title=Vince Carter announces his retirement from NBA after 22 seasons|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/25/vince-carter-announces-his-retirement|website=NBA.com|date=June 25, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2020}}
• On June 4, the NBA Board of Governors approved 29–1 (with the lone dissenter being the Portland Trail Blazers) resuming the 2019–20 season in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World, after prior consideration of Las Vegas and Houston as potential spots.{{Cite web|first=Adrian|last=Wojnarowski|title=NBA approves 22-team format to finish season|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29267294|date=June 4, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=ESPN.com}}
• On June 16, 2020, the NBA released a medical protocol to be used during the season restart in the bubble to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches, officials, and staff.{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Bontemps|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29321006|title=In documents, NBA details coronavirus testing protocols, including 2-week resting period for positive tests|work=ESPN.com |date=June 16, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2020}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2020/07/21/nba-bubble-unique-experience-disney|title=Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience|first=Chris|last=Mannix|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020}}
• On June 25, 2020, Vince Carter officially announced his retirement after 22 seasons and four separate decades in the NBA. He is the only player to accomplish both these feats.
• On July 30, 2020, the regular season resumed in the NBA bubble.{{cite web|title=Inside the first night of the NBA's bold bubble experiment|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbareturn29564338|website=July 31, 2020|date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=August 27, 2020}}
• On August 8, 2020, Luka Dončić recorded his 17th triple-double of the season, clinching his spot as the youngest player to ever lead the NBA in triple-doubles in a season.{{Cite web|first=Ali|last=Thanawalla|title=Luka Doncic's triple-double makes NBA history in Mavs' win over Bucks|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/luka-doncics-triple-double-makes-nba-history-mavs-win-over-bucks|website=NBC Sports Bay Area|date=August 8, 2020|access-date=April 4, 2023}}
• On August 10, 2020, Carmelo Anthony moved past John Havlicek and Paul Pierce, respectively, for 16th and 15th on the NBA all-time scoring list.
• On August 13, 2020, the San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from playoff contention, ending an NBA record-tying 22-year streak.{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Cely|title=Spurs miss NBA playoffs for first time since 1997|url=https://www.ksat.com/sports/2020/08/13/spurs-miss-nba-playoffs-for-first-time-since-1997/|website=KSAT.com|date=August 13, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
• On August 17, 2020, Donovan Mitchell scored 57 points, the third highest in NBA single-game playoff history, against the Denver Nuggets in game 1 of their playoff series.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=NBA com|title=Donovan Mitchell's 57 points rank third in NBA single-game playoff history|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/17/donovan-mitchell-third-most-points-playoff-history|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=NBA.com|language=en}}
• On August 23, 2020, Luka Dončić's performance in game 4 of the Dallas Mavericks playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, including 43 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists, and a game-winning buzzer beater, broke a number of records. He became the youngest player to hit a game-winning buzzer beater in the playoffs, one of only three players to make 40-plus points, 15-plus rebounds, and 10-plus assists in a playoff game, one of only five players to make 40-plus points including a buzzer beater in a playoff game, first Dallas Maverick to have a triple-double in the playoffs, among others.{{cite web|first=Shaun|last=Powell|title=Luka Doncic turns in game 'from another planet' to take down Clippers|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/23/doncic-legendary-historical-game-another-planet|website=NBA.com|date=August 23, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}}{{cite web|first=Gilbert|last=McGregor|title=NBA Playoffs 2020: Putting Luka Doncic's Game 4 performance into historical perspective|url=https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-playoffs-2020-dallas%20mavericks%20vs%20la%20clippers%20luka-doncics-legendary-performance-by-the-numbers/16bykf9zhtwls17hkso5utmceg|website=NBA.com|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}}
• On August 23, 2020, Donovan Mitchell scored 51 points and Jamal Murray scored 50 points in a playoff game between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets, the first time in NBA history that two players scored 50 points in a playoff game.
• On August 26, 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their First Round series against the Orlando Magic in order to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake a few days prior. Similar decisions by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers came shortly after.{{cite web|title=NBA playoff games called off amid player protests |author1=Brian Mahoney |author2=Tim Reynolds |agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/26/bucks-protest-nba-postpones-games|website=NBA.com|date=August 26, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}}
• On September 15, 2020, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals after initially trailing in the series 3–1. This marked the first time that a team overcame consecutive 3–1 series deficits in a single playoff run, as the Nuggets had previously overcome a 3–1 series deficit to win their first round series against the Utah Jazz.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Sekou|title=Clippers' championship dreams crumble in Game 7 loss to Nuggets|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2020/09/16/clippers-championship-dreams-crumble-game-7-loss-nuggets|access-date=September 18, 2020|website=NBA.com|language=en}}
• On October 11, 2020, Talen Horton-Tucker became the second-youngest NBA player to win an NBA championship after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106–93 to win the 2020 NBA Finals.{{cite news|title=The youngest players to win an NBA title |date=January 4, 2021|url=https://hoopshype.com/gallery/youngest-players-nba-title-champions/ |website=hoopshype.com |access-date=October 20, 2021 |language=en}}
• Tony Snell had the first 50-50-100 season (min. 100 attempts) in NBA history{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2021 |title=Tony Snell -- yes, Tony Snell! -- just had the most unique statistical season in NBA history |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/05/hawks-tony-snell-nba-history-stats |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927001853/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/05/hawks-tony-snell-nba-history-stats |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=www.usatoday.com}}
• James Harden became the third player, after Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, to lead the league in total points and total steals in the same season{{Cite web|url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/14/james-harden-makes-history-by-leading-nba-in-points-steals/|title=James Harden makes history by leading NBA in points, steals|date=August 14, 2020|website=}}

• COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on basketball
• List of NBA regular season records

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{{NBA seasons|2019}}

{{2019–20 NBA season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2019-20 Nba season}}

NBA

Category:2019–20 in Canadian basketball

NBA season