The return of the NBA! Open thread

Here we go!

With the coronavirus still wreaking havoc around the world, the good news is that the NBA’s bubble plan in Orlando, Florida has gone smoothly so far.

It’ll be nice to have basketball back as a distraction from what is happening around the globe.

The NBA will officially be back with the Utah Jazz taking on the New Orleans Pelicans at 3:30 p.m. PT.

Rookie phenom Zion Williamson will be a game-time decision after leaving the bubble to deal with a family emergency. The Pelicans are 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Jazz are playing for seeding. Utah is fourth, just a game up on both the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the second game of the doubleheader, two of the Golden State Warriors’ Pacific Division rivals will battle it out when the LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers go up against Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers at 6:00 p.m. PT.

The Lakers have all but locked up the top seed in the Western Conference, leading the Clippers by 5.5 games. Center Anthony Davis is expected to play after suffering an eye injury during a scrimmage game against the Orlando Magic. The Clips lead the Denver Nuggets by 1.5 games in the race for the second seed in the conference, so they have plenty play for.

It all gets started soon! Share your comments, and join the discussion as the games happen!