The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that 107 international players from 41 countries are on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 season, including a record 17 Canadian players and a record-tying 14 African players. This marks the seventh consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 100 international players. All 30 teams have at least one international player.&nbsp;

In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season.&nbsp;

For the seventh consecutive year, Canada (17 players) is the most-represented country outside of the U.S., followed by France (nine players), Australia (eight players), Serbia and Germany (six players each).&nbsp;

The Washington Wizards have an NBA-high seven international players. The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets each have six, while the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors each have five.&nbsp;

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The 2020-21 NBA season begins tonight with a doubleheader on TNT as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020. The first game features the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. ET. In the second game, the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.&nbsp;

A record 34 players on opening-night rosters participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) prior to starting their NBA careers, surpassing the previous record of 30 set in 2019-20. Former BWB campers include Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), Jamal Murray (Nuggets; Canada; BWB Global 2015) and Pascal Siakam (Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012). BWB is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that has seen 76 former campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents since 2001.&nbsp;

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In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season. There are also a number of American players with ties to other countries, including more than 30 players with at least one parent from Africa. Among the American players with ties to other countries are Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz; ties to the Philippines), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers; ties to Nigeria), Matisse Thybulle (76ers; ties to Australia and Haiti) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves; ties to the Dominican Republic).&nbsp;

The records for international players (113) and countries and territories represented (42) were set at the start of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, respectively.&nbsp;

The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that 107 international players from 41 countries are on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 season, including a record 17 Canadian players and a record-tying 14 African players.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that 107 international players from 41 countries are on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 season, including a record 17 Canadian players and a record-tying 14 African players. This marks the seventh consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 100 international players. All 30 teams have at least one international player. In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season. For the seventh consecutive year, Canada (17 players) is the most-represented country outside of the U.S., followed by France (nine players), Australia (eight players), Serbia and Germany (six players each). The Washington Wizards have an NBA-high seven international players. The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets each have six, while the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors each have five. ALSO READ: From NBA to Super Bowl: Here's complete list of winners in 2020 The 2020-21 NBA season begins tonight with a doubleheader on TNT as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020. The first game features the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. ET. In the second game, the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET. A record 34 players on opening-night rosters participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) prior to starting their NBA careers, surpassing the previous record of 30 set in 2019-20. Former BWB campers include Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), Jamal Murray (Nuggets; Canada; BWB Global 2015) and Pascal Siakam (Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012). BWB is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that has seen 76 former campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents since 2001. ALSO READ: From taking the knee to joining protests: Athletes who contributed to 'Black Lives Matter' movement In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season. There are also a number of American players with ties to other countries, including more than 30 players with at least one parent from Africa. Among the American players with ties to other countries are Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz; ties to the Philippines), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers; ties to Nigeria), Matisse Thybulle (76ers; ties to Australia and Haiti) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves; ties to the Dominican Republic). The records for international players (113) and countries and territories represented (42) were set at the start of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, respectively.

NBA rosters feature 107 international players from 41 countries

Nine teams hired new head coach since the conclusion of their 2019-20 seasons. Four of those teams will be led by a first-time NBA head coach.

NATE BJORKGREN, INDIANA PACERS: Bjorkgren is one of two former NBA G League head coaches to be named a first-time NBA head coach during the 2020 offseason (along with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault). Bjorkgren compiled a 126-74 record (.630) with four different franchises across four years as an NBA G League head coach. His NBA experience includes assistant coaching positions with the Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns. Bjorkgren was an assistant coach on the Raptors’ 2018-19 NBA championship team.

MARK DAIGNEAULT, OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Daigneault has been promoted to head coach after spending last season as an assistant coach with Oklahoma City. He joined the Thunder organization in 2014 as head coach of its NBA G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, where he amassed a 143-107 record (.572) in five seasons and made four playoff appearances. He guided the Blue to a franchise-record 34 wins in 2018-19.

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BILLY DONOVAN, CHICAGO BULLS: Donovan spent the previous five seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, guiding the Thunder to a record of 243-157 (.608) and five consecutive playoff appearances. Last season, he was an NBA Coach of the Year finalist with a revamped Thunder roster. Donovan came to the NBA after a successful 19-year stint as head coach of the University of Florida, including back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

TYRONN LUE, LA CLIPPERS: Lue, a former NBA guard, served as an assistant coach with the Clippers last season after working as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach over four seasons. He led the Cavaliers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances, including the franchise’s first NBA championship when Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals during his first season as an NBA head coach.

STEVE NASH, BROOKLYN NETS: Nash begins his coaching career after serving as a player development consultant with the Golden State Warriors for five years. In his 18-year playing career, Nash earned two NBA MVP awards, eight All-Star selections and five assists titles. He is the ninth former NBA MVP to serve as an NBA head coach, joining Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Magic Johnson, Bob Pettit, Willis Reed, Bill Russell and Wes Unseld.

DOC RIVERS, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: Rivers joins Philadelphia after posting a .631 winning percentage in seven seasons as head coach of the LA Clippers, who had five of the franchise’s six best regular-season records under his direction. He has 21 years of experience as an NBA head coach, including stints with the Orlando Magic, where he was named the 1999-2000 NBA Coach of the Year, and the Boston Celtics, where he won the 2007-08 NBA championship. With 943 regular-season victories, Rivers ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time coaching wins list.

STEPHEN SILAS, HOUSTON ROCKETS: Silas is entering his first season as an NBA head coach after spending 19 years as an NBA assistant coach, most recently working two seasons under Rick Carlisle with the Dallas Mavericks. He is the son of Paul Silas, a former longtime NBA head coach and two-time NBA All-Star as a player. A former basketball player at Brown University, Stephen also spent three years as the assistant executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

TOM THIBODEAU, NEW YORK KNICKS: Thibodeau returns to New York, where he served as an assistant coach from 1996-2003. He holds a career regular-season coaching record of 352-246 (.589) over eight seasons with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2010-11 season, when he led Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record in his first season as an NBA head coach.

STAN VAN GUNDY, NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Van Gundy is set to coach his fourth NBA team after previous stints with the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons. In 11 full seasons as an NBA head coach, Van Gundy has reached the playoffs eight times, highlighted by an NBA Finals appearance with Orlando in 2008-09. Van Gundy has a career regular-season record of 523-384 (.577), making him one of five 2020-21 head coaches to record at least 500 victories.

Nine teams hired new head coach since the conclusion of their 2019-20 seasons. Four of those teams will be led by a first-time NBA head coach. NATE BJORKGREN, INDIANA PACERS: Bjorkgren is one of two former NBA G League head coaches to be named a first-time NBA head coach during the 2020 offseason (along with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault).

Nine teams hired new head coach since the conclusion of their 2019-20 seasons. Four of those teams will be led by a first-time NBA head coach. NATE BJORKGREN, INDIANA PACERS: Bjorkgren is one of two former NBA G League head coaches to be named a first-time NBA head coach during the 2020 offseason (along with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault). Bjorkgren compiled a 126-74 record (.630) with four different franchises across four years as an NBA G League head coach. His NBA experience includes assistant coaching positions with the Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns. Bjorkgren was an assistant coach on the Raptors’ 2018-19 NBA championship team. MARK DAIGNEAULT, OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Daigneault has been promoted to head coach after spending last season as an assistant coach with Oklahoma City. He joined the Thunder organization in 2014 as head coach of its NBA G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, where he amassed a 143-107 record (.572) in five seasons and made four playoff appearances. He guided the Blue to a franchise-record 34 wins in 2018-19. ALSO READ: Top players back in action in NBA as fresh season awaits BILLY DONOVAN, CHICAGO BULLS: Donovan spent the previous five seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, guiding the Thunder to a record of 243-157 (.608) and five consecutive playoff appearances. Last season, he was an NBA Coach of the Year finalist with a revamped Thunder roster. Donovan came to the NBA after a successful 19-year stint as head coach of the University of Florida, including back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. TYRONN LUE, LA CLIPPERS: Lue, a former NBA guard, served as an assistant coach with the Clippers last season after working as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach over four seasons. He led the Cavaliers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances, including the franchise’s first NBA championship when Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals during his first season as an NBA head coach. STEVE NASH, BROOKLYN NETS: Nash begins his coaching career after serving as a player development consultant with the Golden State Warriors for five years. In his 18-year playing career, Nash earned two NBA MVP awards, eight All-Star selections and five assists titles. He is the ninth former NBA MVP to serve as an NBA head coach, joining Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Magic Johnson, Bob Pettit, Willis Reed, Bill Russell and Wes Unseld. DOC RIVERS, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: Rivers joins Philadelphia after posting a .631 winning percentage in seven seasons as head coach of the LA Clippers, who had five of the franchise’s six best regular-season records under his direction. He has 21 years of experience as an NBA head coach, including stints with the Orlando Magic, where he was named the 1999-2000 NBA Coach of the Year, and the Boston Celtics, where he won the 2007-08 NBA championship. With 943 regular-season victories, Rivers ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time coaching wins list. STEPHEN SILAS, HOUSTON ROCKETS: Silas is entering his first season as an NBA head coach after spending 19 years as an NBA assistant coach, most recently working two seasons under Rick Carlisle with the Dallas Mavericks. He is the son of Paul Silas, a former longtime NBA head coach and two-time NBA All-Star as a player. A former basketball player at Brown University, Stephen also spent three years as the assistant executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. TOM THIBODEAU, NEW YORK KNICKS: Thibodeau returns to New York, where he served as an assistant coach from 1996-2003. He holds a career regular-season coaching record of 352-246 (.589) over eight seasons with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2010-11 season, when he led Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record in his first season as an NBA head coach. STAN VAN GUNDY, NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Van Gundy is set to coach his fourth NBA team after previous stints with the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons. In 11 full seasons as an NBA head coach, Van Gundy has reached the playoffs eight times, highlighted by an NBA Finals appearance with Orlando in 2008-09. Van Gundy has a career regular-season record of 523-384 (.577), making him one of five 2020-21 head coaches to record at least 500 victories.

NBA 2020-21 season: New head coaches set to take world by storm

Several of the NBA’s best players are preparing to come back after missing most or all of last season. The list of returnees includes two former Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners and five players who were NBA All-Star selections as recently as two seasons ago.&nbsp;

• STEPHEN CURRY, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (5 GP LAST SEASON): The two-time Kia NBA MVP led Golden State to three NBA championships and five consecutive NBA Finals appearances before last season’s extended absence (he returned in March and played one game before the season was paused). Curry needs five three-pointers to reach 2,500 for his career and is 66 threes from passing Reggie Miller for the second-most in NBA history. He is also poised to become the Warriors’ franchise leader in both points and assists this season.&nbsp;

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• KEVIN DURANT, BROOKLYN NETS (0 GP): The 10-time NBA AllStar and 2013-14 Kia NBA MVP is set for his first action since the 2019 NBA Finals. In three seasons with Golden State, Durant won two Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP awards and reached the NBA Finals three times. A four-time scoring champion, Durant has the sixth-highest scoring average in NBA history (27.0 ppg).&nbsp;

• BLAKE GRIFFIN, DETROIT PISTONS (18 GP): In 2018-19 (his first full season with Detroit), Griffin averaged a career-high 24.5 points, was named an NBA All-Star for the sixth time and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. He also made a career-high 189 three-pointers.&nbsp;

• KYRIE IRVING, BROOKLYN NETS (20 GP): Irving made a splash with 50 points in his first game as a Net, the highest-scoring debut in NBA history. He averaged 27.4 points in 20 games, which would have been a career-high over a full season. Before last season, Irving had been named an NBA All-Star six times in a seven-year span.&nbsp;

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• KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (35 GP): Towns actually played more than half of Minnesota’s games last season, but he also had two extended absences, one of which sidelined him for the final 12 games. He averaged 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists and shot 41.2 per cent from three-point range in 35 games. Towns was an NBA All-Star selection in 2017-18 and 2018-19.&nbsp;

• JOHN WALL, WASHINGTON WIZARDS (0 GP): Wall is poised to return two years after his last regular-season NBA game (Dec. 26, 2018). He made five consecutive NBA All-Star teams from 2014-18, a stretch during which he averaged at least 10.0 assists three times. This will be Wall’s 10th playing season with the Wizards, who selected him with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Several of the NBA’s best players are preparing to come back after missing most or all of last season. The list of returnees includes two former Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners and five players who were NBA All-Star selections as recently as two seasons ago.

Several of the NBA’s best players are preparing to come back after missing most or all of last season. The list of returnees includes two former Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners and five players who were NBA All-Star selections as recently as two seasons ago. • STEPHEN CURRY, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (5 GP LAST SEASON): The two-time Kia NBA MVP led Golden State to three NBA championships and five consecutive NBA Finals appearances before last season’s extended absence (he returned in March and played one game before the season was paused). Curry needs five three-pointers to reach 2,500 for his career and is 66 threes from passing Reggie Miller for the second-most in NBA history. He is also poised to become the Warriors’ franchise leader in both points and assists this season. ALSO READ: From NBA to Super Bowl: Here's complete list of winners in 2020 • KEVIN DURANT, BROOKLYN NETS (0 GP): The 10-time NBA AllStar and 2013-14 Kia NBA MVP is set for his first action since the 2019 NBA Finals. In three seasons with Golden State, Durant won two Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP awards and reached the NBA Finals three times. A four-time scoring champion, Durant has the sixth-highest scoring average in NBA history (27.0 ppg). • BLAKE GRIFFIN, DETROIT PISTONS (18 GP): In 2018-19 (his first full season with Detroit), Griffin averaged a career-high 24.5 points, was named an NBA All-Star for the sixth time and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. He also made a career-high 189 three-pointers. • KYRIE IRVING, BROOKLYN NETS (20 GP): Irving made a splash with 50 points in his first game as a Net, the highest-scoring debut in NBA history. He averaged 27.4 points in 20 games, which would have been a career-high over a full season. Before last season, Irving had been named an NBA All-Star six times in a seven-year span. ALSO READ: From Mahomes to Giannis: Athletes with biggest contracts in sporting history • KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (35 GP): Towns actually played more than half of Minnesota’s games last season, but he also had two extended absences, one of which sidelined him for the final 12 games. He averaged 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists and shot 41.2 per cent from three-point range in 35 games. Towns was an NBA All-Star selection in 2017-18 and 2018-19. • JOHN WALL, WASHINGTON WIZARDS (0 GP): Wall is poised to return two years after his last regular-season NBA game (Dec. 26, 2018). He made five consecutive NBA All-Star teams from 2014-18, a stretch during which he averaged at least 10.0 assists three times. This will be Wall’s 10th playing season with the Wizards, who selected him with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Top players back in action in NBA as fresh season awaits

The build-up to the NBA’s 2020-21 season tipped-off with a media week. From a first-time Bubble to a first-time 72-game season, the teams are gearing up to the new normal.

But Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers’ new head coach was as honest as he could be about the upcoming season. “I’m very concerned if we can pull this off.&nbsp;If we miss three or four players, we’re in trouble, especially with the amount of games, we’re playing 3-4 games a week,” said Rivers. “So if one of our guys or two of our key guys get the virus and they miss 10 days to 14 days, that can be eight games. In a 72-game season that can knock you out of the playoffs.”

Rivers said going into this season one of the chief concerns for almost every coach is probably non-basketball. But Steve Kerr is busy finding ways to fill a hole of the size of Klay Thompson.

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“There’s a hole in our hearts, just because he’s such a huge part of who we are,” Kerr said. “And [Thompson, Curry and Green] really are the core of this whole thing – what’s been built here over the last seven or eight years. That part is gonna be really tough for Steph and Draymond to get past. It’ll be hard for all of us to get past, but we have no choice but to do so.”

For Dallas Mavericks’ Rick Carlisle raising defensive levels is the top priority. “When you’re a galactically successful offensive team but a below-average defensive team, that’s not a recipe that’s going to win you an NBA title,” pointed Carlisle “You can never have enough toughness on a team, particularly with the way the Western Conference is shaping up. Big emphasis this season will be getting better defensively, not just with the new additions but also from a mentality perspective.”

Even first-time head coach Steve Nash echoes Carlisle’s point. “We realize that we’re trying to compete for a championship, and we have to be excellent defensively,” Nash said. “It’s going to be a process. It’s something we’re going to build all year.” A team laced with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Nash feels his centers DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen will have a key role to play for the Brooklyn Nets. “We have some centers that are vertical threats, so we can really put pressure on people above the rim but also stress them and make the court big and difficult to cover.”

Denver Nuggets, the team that lost to eventual champions LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, are accepting the reality and preparing for what’s coming up next.

Nuggets preseason schedule includes three games, first against Golden State Warriors on Dec. 12 followed by two against Portland Trailblazers on Dec. 16 &amp; 18. “Last year was a great season, one of the greatest in franchise history. That’s over. Can we build on that, that is the challenge now. I think it’s on that we are ready and excited to face,” head coach Mike Malone said as training camps began across the league.

&nbsp;

The preseason starts from December 11 (Dec. 12 in India) where all teams will play a minimum of two games and a maximum of four, with at least one home game and one away game on the schedule. The regular season is set to start on December 22 (Dec. 23 in India).

The build-up to the NBA’s 2020-21 season tipped-off with a media week. From a first-time Bubble to a first-time 72-game season, the teams are gearing up to the new normal.

The build-up to the NBA’s 2020-21 season tipped-off with a media week. From a first-time Bubble to a first-time 72-game season, the teams are gearing up to the new normal. But Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers’ new head coach was as honest as he could be about the upcoming season. “I’m very concerned if we can pull this off. If we miss three or four players, we’re in trouble, especially with the amount of games, we’re playing 3-4 games a week,” said Rivers. “So if one of our guys or two of our key guys get the virus and they miss 10 days to 14 days, that can be eight games. In a 72-game season that can knock you out of the playoffs.” Rivers said going into this season one of the chief concerns for almost every coach is probably non-basketball. But Steve Kerr is busy finding ways to fill a hole of the size of Klay Thompson. ALSO READ: NBA Draft 2020: Top picks, trivia and best quotes “There’s a hole in our hearts, just because he’s such a huge part of who we are,” Kerr said. “And [Thompson, Curry and Green] really are the core of this whole thing – what’s been built here over the last seven or eight years. That part is gonna be really tough for Steph and Draymond to get past. It’ll be hard for all of us to get past, but we have no choice but to do so.” For Dallas Mavericks’ Rick Carlisle raising defensive levels is the top priority. “When you’re a galactically successful offensive team but a below-average defensive team, that’s not a recipe that’s going to win you an NBA title,” pointed Carlisle “You can never have enough toughness on a team, particularly with the way the Western Conference is shaping up. Big emphasis this season will be getting better defensively, not just with the new additions but also from a mentality perspective.” Even first-time head coach Steve Nash echoes Carlisle’s point. “We realize that we’re trying to compete for a championship, and we have to be excellent defensively,” Nash said. “It’s going to be a process. It’s something we’re going to build all year.” A team laced with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Nash feels his centers DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen will have a key role to play for the Brooklyn Nets. “We have some centers that are vertical threats, so we can really put pressure on people above the rim but also stress them and make the court big and difficult to cover.” Denver Nuggets, the team that lost to eventual champions LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, are accepting the reality and preparing for what’s coming up next. Nuggets preseason schedule includes three games, first against Golden State Warriors on Dec. 12 followed by two against Portland Trailblazers on Dec. 16 & 18. “Last year was a great season, one of the greatest in franchise history. That’s over. Can we build on that, that is the challenge now. I think it’s on that we are ready and excited to face,” head coach Mike Malone said as training camps began across the league. The preseason starts from December 11 (Dec. 12 in India) where all teams will play a minimum of two games and a maximum of four, with at least one home game and one away game on the schedule. The regular season is set to start on December 22 (Dec. 23 in India).

Coaches list their priorities as build-up to the 2020-21 NBA season begins

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NBA rosters feature 107 international players from 41 countries

NBA 2020-21 season: New head coaches set to take world by storm

Top players back in action in NBA as fresh season awaits

Coaches list their priorities as build-up to the 2020-21 NBA season begins