NBA season cut short to allow world’s best players to participate at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The Tokyo Games were due to be held in 2020 but were postponed

Team owners and the NBA players' association have agreed on a shortened season to allow players from the world's best league to compete in next year's Tokyo Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday.

"The owners of NBA teams have agreed with the players' association on an early and shortened NBA season starting on December 22," Bach told a news conference.

"This will allow the best basketball players to play at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"This is what the players want. This is what the movement wants and may National Olympic Committees want very much. It is excellent news."

The Tokyo Games were due to be held in 2020 but were postponed to start in July 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reuters