On February 10, the 2021 NBA League season ends in a single-site environment at the Wide World Sports Center near Orlando, Florida.
Eighteen teams, including NBA G League Ignite, will each play 15 games through March 6. The top eight teams from the regular season will advance to a one-playoff playoff. , which is set to begin on March 8 with the NBA G. League Final on March 11th.
Throughout the season, there will be 14 regular-season matches on either ESPN2 or ESPNU while ESPN + broadcasts 100-plus tournaments. In addition, 12 games will be broadcast on NBA TV with each of these co-broadcasts on Twitch.
Players, coaches, team and league staff living on the Disney campus will be guided by extensive health and safety protocols throughout the league, which are based on the basic principles of social speed, mascara wear, hand hygiene and COVID-19 test.
With teams ready to start the season next week, Rookie Wire took a look at the 2020 versions expected to play in the bubble. The group features a couple of famous first rounds and several bricks in the second round.
Note: This list is subject to change based on calls and other related roster gestures.
Aleksej Pokusevski, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Aleksej Pokusevski, the 17th overall selection, is the player with the highest version ready to take part in the bubble with the Blue OKC. He played a key role in the Thunder circuit, but head coach Mark Daigneault said playing in the bubble was part of the plan with him. It will allow him to develop and adjust to the pace of the game.
Udoka Azubuike, Utah Jazz
Photo of AP / Rick Bowmer
Azubuike has played strenuously with the Jazz this season, averaging 4.1 minutes in 12 games played. He still hasn’t played more than 10 minutes in a game so going to Disney will allow him to play heavy minutes with the Salt Lake City Stars.
Malachi Flynn, Toronto Birds of Prey
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Flynn, this season, has rarely played with the Raptors, averaging 2.2 points and 1.2 assists in 13 appearances. He didn’t play much time from recording 14 minutes in a 20-point win at home over the Miami Heat on Jan. 22. Flynn will play for the Raptors 905 in the bubble.
Vernon Carey Jr., Charlotte Hornets
Photo AP / Chris Carlson
Carey is at the head of the group of Hornets spies who are ready to play in the bubble. He has appeared in just three games this season with Charlotte and will have a chance to improve and get into rhythm with Disney ‘s Greensboro Swarm.
Tyler Bey, Dallas Mavericks
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Bey has appeared in four games for Dallas this season, recording a total of 13 minutes. He recorded the best points of the season by five points, two rebounds and one block in his latest appearance against Houston on Jan. 23. Mavericks’ G League cousin, the Texas Legends, is not one of the 18 teams participating in the bubble so Bey will be flexibly assigned to the Long Island Nets.
Robert Woodard, Kings of Sacramento
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Woodard has appeared in six games for the Kings this season and has scored 13 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes. The Kings’ G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, is not one of the 18 participating teams in the bubble so Woodard will be flexibly assigned to the Austin Spurs.
Tre Jones, San Antonio Spurs
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Jones has appeared in nine games this season for San Antonio, averaging two points in three minutes. He recently had the opportunity to face his older brother, Tyus, and the Memphis Grizzlies, and will now play with the Austin Spurs in the bubble.
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Sacramento Kings
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In four appearances, Ramsey has scored five points in total, four rebounds, one assist and one block in 16 minutes this season. With the Kings not playing a G League team in the bubble, Ramsey will be assigned to the Agua Caliente Clippers.
Jordan Nwora, Milwaukee Bucks
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Nwora has played in 10 games for the Bucks this season and averages 5.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game. The Bucks aren’t putting the Wisconsin herd to bubble so Nwora will play with the Salt Lake City Stars.
Nico Mannion, Golden State Heroes
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The Warriors expect Mannion to stay with Santa Cruz for the entire bubble, but head coach Steve Kerr said those plans could change depending on injury. Mannion, who has signed a two-way deal, this season has recorded just five appearances, recording a total of 30 minutes.
KJ Martin, Houston Rockets
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Martin, who was in his 52nd overall selection, has been playing fast this season and has only made seven appearances with the Rockets. He gets an average of 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10 minutes per game on shooting 37% off the field. Martin will play for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a Rockets G League affiliate.
Grant Riller, Charlotte Hornets
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Riller, who has signed a two-way deal, has yet to feature in a regular-season game with the Hornets. He will play for the Greensboro Swarm, joining team-mates Nate Darling, Jalen McDaniels and Veron Carey Jr.
Paul Reed, Philadelphia 76ers
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Reed, who was in the 58th overall selection, joins the Delaware Blue Coats in Orlando. He has played in five games with the Sixers, averaging 3.6 points and two rebounds.
Sam Merrill, Milwaukee Bucks
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Merrill has played in nine games for the Bucks this season and averages 1.6 points, 1.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 6.1 minutes per game. With the Bucks not playing for a G League team, Merrill will be playing for the Memphis Hustle.