If and when the NBA season returns to action, it’s looking likely the league will launch into a 16-team playoff, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Monday, Windhorst said he believes the remainder of the regular season would be abandoned and the playoffs would begin, with a conference-less format a possibility.
“I really think there’s a good chance this is only going to be a 16-team playoff,” Windhorst said. “If that is the case, it opens up the possibility for something that Adam Silver has long wanted, which is to seed one through 16 in the post-season and go that route.”
Under that format, the Toronto Raptors would open their title defence with a series against the Memphis Grizzlies. The entire opening round would shake out as follows based on overall standings at the time of the league’s pause:
(1) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (16) Orlando Magic
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (15) Brooklyn Nets
(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (14) Memphis Grizzlies
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (13) Dallas Mavericks
(5) Boston Celtics vs. (12) Philadelphia 76ers
(6) Denver Nuggets vs. (11) Indiana Pacers
(7) Utah Jazz vs. (10) Houston Rockets
(8) Miami Heat vs. (9) Oklahoma City Thunder
Windhorst believes the one-through-16 idea would be difficult to pass, citing Eastern Conference owners’ reluctance to accept the change.
“If you’re Milwaukee, why would you vote for it this year? You might have to beat both the Lakers and the Clippers to win your title,” Windhorst said. “If you’re Boston, you’re now a five seed. If you’re Philadelphia, you’re now a 12 seed…
“I still think the stumbling block is you would need the East owners to do it, but if you’re ever going to do it, and you could convince them to sign in a one-off situation, it would be in this moment.”
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