The NBA 2021-22 season will open up Tuesday with some of the best teams in the league on the docket.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets will meet in a rematch of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the Western Conference playoffs play-in game.
The rest of the league will return to the court on Oct. 20 and 21.
With the tip-off of the season just a few hours away, here’s what you need to know about the year.
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Who is the defending NBA champion?
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) with the championship trophy after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The Bucks won, 105-98.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years when they defeated the Phoenix Suns. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the Finals MVP.
Who is the reigning NBA MVP?
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic argues for a call with referee Rodney Mott in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Denver.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic won the MVP for the 2020-21 season. He played 72 games for Denver and averaged a career-high 26.4 points per game. He also averaged 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He was an All-Star for the third straight season.
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What are the NBA’s coronavirus rules?
About 95% of the NBA is reportedly vaccinated against the coronavirus going into the season. Those players who are unvaccinated have strict rules and are forced to sit out games in New York City and San Francisco due to local vaccine mandates.
Unvaccinated players will not be able to eat in the same room with vaccinated team members, must have lockers far away from vaccinated players and must stay masked and 6 feet away from others during team meetings. Teams were also told unvaccinated players will be “required to remain at their residence when in their home market,” the Associated Press reported.
Unvaccinated players are also barred from visiting restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues, large indoor gatherings and other so-called “higher-risk settings.” The players did not have a vaccine mandate, but stat-crew staffs, team attendants and referees were told to be vaccinated.
Who are the rookies to watch?
Detroit Pistons first-round pick Cade Cunningham holds up his game jersey after his press conference Friday, July 30, 2021, in Detroit.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Cade Cunningham was the No. 1 pick of the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Green was the No. 2 pick for the Houston Rockets after playing for the G League Ignite team, a basketball development program made up of prospects and veterans. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley, Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes and Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs rounded out the top five.
Who will not start the season on time?
Kyrie Irving has been at odds with the Nets and the NBA over his refusal to get the coronavirus vaccine. Brooklyn made the decision to sideline him instead of making him a part-time member of the team.
Indiana Pacers’ Caris LeVert, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thomspon and New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson are among the top stars still healing from injuries.
Read below for a brief look at the teams.
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Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young (11) and the rest of his teammates celebrate after Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in New York. The Hawks defeated the Knicks, 107-105.
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)
2020-21 record: 41-31
2020-21 finish: 5th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Nate McMillan
Projected lineup: Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown reacts after his three-point basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter Apr 30, 2021, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 36-36
2020-21 finish: 7th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Ime Udoka
Projected lineup: Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams
Kevin Durant (7) and James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets celebrate the win after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 114-108.
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2020-21 record: 48-24
2020-21 finish: 2nd Eastern Conference
Head coach: Steve Nash
Projected lineup: James Harden, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Nic Claxton
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball drives the ball past Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half Oct. 11, 2021, at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.
(Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 33-39
2020-21 finish: 10th Eastern Conference
Head coach: James Borrego
Projected lineup: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Mason Plumlee
Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) defends Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) during the second half Oct 15, 2021, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois
(David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 31-41
2020-21 finish: 11th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Billy Donovan
Projected lineup: Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives beside Washington Wizards center Alex Len (27) in the first quarter Apr 30, 2021, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
(David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 22-50
2020-21 finish: 13th Eastern Conference
Head coach: J.B. Bickerstaff
Projected lineup: Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic smiles after scoring during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
2020-21 record: 42-30
2020-21 finish: 5th Western Conference
Head coach: Jason Kidd
Projected lineup: Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) is guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Roby (22) on a drive to the basket during the first quarter Oct 13, 2021, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
(Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 47-25
2020-21 finish: 3rd Western Conference
Head coach: Michael Malone
Projected lineup: Facundo Campazzo, Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the first half Oct 11, 2021, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
(Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 20-52
2020-21 finish: 15th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Dwane Casey
Projected lineup: Killian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates his three-point buzzer beater against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter Oct 15, 2021, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
2020-21 record: 39-33
2020-21 finish: 8th Western Conference
Head coach: Steve Kerr
Projected lineup: Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, James Wiseman
Houston Rockets center Christian Wood looks on at a NBA game against the Toronto Raptors Oct. 11, 2021, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
(Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 17-55
2020-21 finish: 15th Western Conference
Head coach: Stephen Silas
Projected lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, Christian Wood, Daniel Theis
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) celebrates with guard Jeremy Lamb (26) after making a shot late in the fourth quarter to take a lead against the Memphis Grizzlies Oct 13, 2021, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 34-38
2020-21 finish: 9th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Rick Carlisle
Projected lineup: Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) fights to the basket against Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr, right, in the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, May 28, 2021.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
2020-21 record: 47-25
2020-21 finish: 4th Western Conference
Head coach: Ty Lue
Projected lineup: Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, Paul George, Marcus Morris, Ivan Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James fields questions during the NBA basketball team’s Media Day Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in El Segundo, California.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
2020-21 record: 42-30
2020-21 finish: 7th Western Conference
Head coach: Frank Vogel
Projected lineup: Russell Westbrook, Wayne Ellington, LeBron James, Trevor Ariza, Anthony Davis
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dives for a loose ball against the Chicago Bulls Oct 15, 2021, during the first half at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
(David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 38-34
2020-21 finish: 9th Western Conference
Head coach: Taylor Jenkins
Projected lineup: Ja Morant, De’Anthony Melton, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reacts after a play against Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington (25) and forward Miles Bridges (0) during the first half Oct 11, 2021, at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.
(Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 40-32
2020-21 finish: 6th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Erik Spoelstra
Projected lineup: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, P.J. Tucker, Bam Adebayo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo runs up the court during the first half of the team’s preseason NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Salt Lake City.
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
2020-21 record: 46-26
2020-21 finish: 3rd Eastern Conference
Head coach: Mike Budenholzer
Projected lineup: Jrue Holiday, Pat Connughton, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards reacts during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans Oct. 4, 2021, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 23-49
2020-21 finish: 13th Western Conference
Head coach: Chris Finch
Projected lineup: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram gestures in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors May 4, 2021, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 31-41
2020-21 finish: 11th Western Conference
Head coach: Willie Green
Projected lineup: Devonte’ Graham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Brandon Ingram, Naji Marshall, Jonas Valanciunas
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) runs up court after scoring a basket alongside Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) during the first half Oct 13, 2021, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 41-31
2020-21 finish: 4th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Tom Thibodeau
Projected lineup: Kemba Walker, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oct. 10, 2021, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 22-50
2020-21 finish: 14th Western Conference
Head coach: Mark Daigneault
Projected lineup: Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, Isaiah Roby
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) reacts after making a three-pointer during the second half Oct. 4, 2021, against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
(Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 21-51
2020-21 finish: 14th Eastern Conference
Head coach: Jamahl Mosley
Projected lineup: Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr.
In this Feb. 19, 2021, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
2020-21 record: 49-23
2020-21 finish: 1st Eastern Conference
Head coach: Doc Rivers
Projected lineup: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and head coach Monty Williams during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers Oct, 10, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
(Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 51-21
2020-21 finish: 2nd Western Conference
Head coach: Monty Williams
Projected lineup: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Markus Howard during the second half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in Denver.
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
2020-21 record: 42-30
2020-21 finish: 6th Western Conference
Head coach: Chauncy Billups
Projected lineup: Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Jusuf Nurkic
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter Oct. 4, 2021, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
(Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 31-41
2020-21 finish: 12th Western Conference
Head coach: Luke Walton
Projected lineup: De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes
San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray controls the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter May 5, 2021, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
(Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 33-39
2020-21 finish: 10th Western Conference
Head coach: Gregg Popovich
Projected lineup: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Jakob Poeltl
Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby against the Philadelphia 76ers Oct. 7, 2021, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 27-45
2020-21 finish: 12th Western Conference
Head coach: Nick Nurse
Projected lineup: Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher
Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell goes up for a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
2020-21 record: 52-20
2020-21 finish: 1st Western Conference
Head coach: Quin Snyder
Projected lineup: Mike Conley Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, Rudy Gobert
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Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal advances the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the second half Oct. 12, 2021, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
(Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
2020-21 record: 34-38
2020-21 finish: 8th Western Conference
Head coach: Wes Unseld Jr.
Projected lineup: Spencer Dinwiddie, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford