It’s been one year since the NBA made the pandemic real for a large number of people. Until March 11, the coronavirus had been in the news, but the world was still awaiting instruction. The day before the league went dark, the situation facing the world was officially named a pandemic, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson publicly announced they tested positive, and an arena full of NBA fans were sent home.
It would take five months for NBA play to resume, and even then only in a singular location. Not all teams were invited as the focus shifted to crowning an NBA champion after a short warm up session where teams played for a shot at the postseason.