Silver: NBA aiming to return to 'normal' schedule next season

The NBA intends to have next season's schedule be as close to "normal" as possible, commissioner Adam Silver said during his annual All-Star Weekend press conference.

"I’m fairly optimistic, at this point, that we will be able to start on time," Silver said, courtesy of The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

An 82-game NBA season typically runs between October and June. The 2019-20 campaign stretched into October due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 72-game 2020-21 season started in December.

Silver added he's optimistic teams will play in front of "relatively full arenas" next campaign, according to Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck. Many clubs are currently hosting fans in a limited capacity.

Silver also said more fans could attend games next season even if most players, some of whom are leery of the COVID-19 vaccine, aren't vaccinated, per The Athletic's Joe Vardon.