NBA stars could miss Tokyo Olympics, says chief Adam Silver

The NBA’s best players could miss the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics if the 2020-21 season begins in January.

A December start was suggested for the delayed campaign, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver believes it might now be the new year.

A January start could mean the play-offs finish in August or September with the Olympics set for a 23 July start.

Silver said it was possible “the top 15 NBA players aren’t competing in the Olympics, but others are”.

He added: “And, obviously, there are many NBA players who participate in the Olympics for other countries. That’s something we’re going to have to work through.”

The USA men’s basketball team will be going for their fourth consecutive title in Tokyo next year. The team at Rio 2016 featured Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Portland’s Carmelo Anthony.

Both the delayed start to the new NBA season and the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics are a result of the coronavirus pandemic.