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Come Fan with UsFriday, June 26, 2026

NBA Lockout: Schedule Changes To Fit In 82 Games Won’t Work At Staples Center

The NBA has already canceled the first two weeks of the season, but there are still multiple reports out there that the league is looking into contingency plans for a revised schedule if and when this season can be saved. There is even talk of a potential full 82-game slate.

This would be great news for fans, but as the Los Angeles Times points out, extending the schedule comes with its own set of problems.

Finding a place to play, however, might be more difficult.

"I've heard talk that the players and owners would look to add games past the drop-dead date of the NBA Finals, June 21 — I know they are tinkering with that," said Lee Zeidman, general manager of Staples Center, home to the Lakers and Clippers.

"It can never happen here."

See, in addition to basketball games, arenas host other events like concerts, other sporting events, etc. As Ziedman explained, "We're challenged to fill in any dates during the season with the Kings, Disney on Ice, the Pac-12 [basketball] tournament, concerts and the Grammys." You get the picture.

The bottom line: If the the owners and the players want to revive the hope of a full 82-game schedule, they better get a deal done fast. But this type of conflict makes it seem more likely that the hope of a full season is nothing more than a dream.


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