NBA Bubble Season Format

The Rule Change

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the NBA to complete the 2019-20 season in an isolated 'bubble' environment at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Twenty-two teams were invited to play eight regular-season games followed by a full playoff bracket, all without fans in attendance.

Statistical Impact

The bubble produced some of the highest-quality basketball in recent memory, partly because teams were rested and focused with no travel or external distractions. Home-court advantage was eliminated, and several lower-seeded teams overperformed. The bubble became a proof of concept for neutral-site basketball and demonstrated how profoundly travel and crowd effects influence outcomes.

3-Year Average: Before vs. After