As a longtime NBA analyst and season ticket holder, I’ve learned that nothing gets basketball fans buzzing like the release of a new season schedule. I still remember the anticipation leading up to the 2021 NBA season—a year defined by adaptation, resilience, and a league determined to push forward no matter the circumstances. The 2021 season was particularly unique because it followed the shortest offseason in NBA history, a compressed timeline that forced teams, players, and fans alike to adjust on the fly. When the league and players’ union finally agreed on terms, we knew we were in for something special—a year where the schedule wasn’t just a list of games, but a statement.

Let’s start with the key dates burned into my memory. The 2021 NBA regular season tipped off on December 22, 2020—yes, you read that right, in 2020—which felt surreal after years of October starts. I recall thinking how strange it would be to have Christmas games so early in the season, but the league made it work beautifully. The decision to begin before the New Year was strategic; it allowed the NBA to cram 72 games into a tighter window while still targeting a mid-May finish for the regular season. That’s 10 fewer games than the usual 82, but honestly, as someone who’s watched the grind of an 82-game season take its toll, I thought the shortened schedule added a layer of urgency from day one. Teams couldn’t afford slow starts, and every matchup felt like a playoff primer.

Now, you might wonder how the players and coaches handled such a quick turnaround. I had the chance to attend a virtual coaching clinic around that time, and the sentiment echoed what many insiders were saying: adaptability was everything. One quote that stuck with me came from a seasoned coach who said, “We change, you work harder,” emphasizing how the league’s adjustments forced everyone to elevate their preparation. He framed it as a “blessing in disguise,” and honestly, I saw that play out on the court. Superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who’d just returned from injury, used the compact schedule to showcase their conditioning, while younger teams like the Memphis Grizzlies turned the chaos into an opportunity to surprise the league.

Of course, the schedule itself was packed with can’t-miss moments. The NBA did a fantastic job highlighting marquee matchups early on—think Lakers vs. Clippers on opening night and a Christmas Day slate featuring five games, including Nets vs. Celtics. As a fan, I loved the density of those early games; it felt like the league was making up for lost time after the 2020 bubble. But let’s be real—it wasn’t all smooth sailing. By February, injuries began piling up, and critics (myself included) started questioning the physical toll. Still, the NBA’s decision to include an All-Star break in March—held in Atlanta on March 7—provided a much-needed reset. I’ll admit, I was skeptical about holding the event amid COVID concerns, but the league pulled it off with strict protocols, and seeing the stars share the court again was a welcome reminder of normalcy.

Looking back, what stood out most was how the 2021 schedule reflected the NBA’s ability to innovate under pressure. The play-in tournament, introduced that year, became an instant hit, adding drama to the final weeks of the regular season. I still get chills remembering the Warriors-Grizzlies clash for the eighth seed—a game that felt like a playoff final in its own right. The regular season wrapped up on May 16, 2021, followed by the play-in tournament from May 18-21. Then, the playoffs kicked off on May 22, delivering one of the most unpredictable postseasons in recent memory.

In the end, the 2021 NBA season was a testament to the league’s resilience. Sure, the dates were unusual, and the schedule was grueling, but it gave us unforgettable storylines—like the Suns’ run to the Finals and Giannis’ iconic championship moment. As a fan and analyst, I’ll always appreciate how the NBA turned a challenging situation into a triumph. So, if you ask me when the 2021 season started, I’d say it began with a leap of faith—one that reminded us why we love this game.