The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) said it has tentatively approved December 22 as the start date for the 2020-21 season with a reduced 72-game schedule. 

The start date announcement followed a formal vote of player representatives, NPBA said. 

"Additional details remain to be negotiated and the NBPA is confident that the parties will reach agreement on these remaining issues relevant to the upcoming season," the NBPA said in a statement on Thursday. 

The league plans to start the season with no spectators allowed in team arenas as coronavirus restrictions ban major indoor public gatherings. 

The NBA has pushed back the draft from October 16 to November 18, with training camps set to begin in early December. 

NBA players had been reluctant to start so soon after an October finish, with some pushing for a January start on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday even if it meant less money for fewer games and an August finish. 

The NBA, according to U.S. media, said starting before Christmas Day – keeping the traditional holiday television matches while finishing the playoffs before the Tokyo Olympics in mid-July – will be worth between $500 million and $1 billion to a league that is set to lose money this year. 

Players would face giving 18 percent of their salary to the league for the next two years, sharing the losses while keeping salary cap levels in place to avoid roster issues for teams. 

The Los Angeles Lakers captured a record-tying 17th NBA Championship on Oct 12 with a 106-93 victory over the Miami Heat that sealed the best-of-seven title series 4-2. 

(With input from agencies)