The NBA regular season schedule could fall below 82 games if certain criteria are met, potentially including international teams in Europe and China, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. In an interview with Sam Amick of USA Today Sports from Shenzhen, China, Silver says the possibility of high-speed flight may one day make overseas franchises practical for the league. In conjunction, 82-game slates may become a thing of the past.
“There’s nothing magical about 82 games,” Silver continued. “It’s been in place for 50 years, but for the long-term planning of the league, as we learn more about the human body and the wear and tear of travel and the competitive landscape .