NBA Teams Eliminated from Playoffs Will Leave Campus on Aug. 13

Rob Goldberg @TheRobGoldbergFeatured ColumnistAugust 10, 2020

FILE - In this March 6, 2020, file photo, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson walks onto the court during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in New Orleans. A Florida appeals court has granted Williamson’s motion to block his former marketing agent’s effort to have the ex-Duke star answer questions about whether he received improper benefits before playing for the Blue Devils. The order Wednesday shifts the focus to separate but related case between the same litigants in federal court in North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza, File)

Rusty Costanza/Associated Press

NBA teams that are eliminated from the playoffs will leave the campus in Orlando, Florida, immediately after their final games, according to the NBA.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports initially reported the teams would leave Wednesday, Aug. 12, but the league clarified the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, will play Thursday, Aug. 13, and then leave the bubble.

Players will shower and eat before taking a team bus to the airport.

The Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns are still vying for the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the Western Conference with the two top teams set to compete in a play-in series Saturday and Sunday. There will be no play-in series in the Eastern Conference with the Wizards more than four games out of a playoff spot.

The six teams that entered the NBA restart with the worst records were all staying at the Yacht Club Resort, considered an inferior hotel compared to the Gran Destino and Grand Floridian, where other teams are staying.

A quick removal of eliminated teams could help the league consolidate into a smaller bubble and reduce the costs involved in housing more than 300 players.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN previously reported the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort will cost the NBA more than $150 million.

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The playoffs will begin Aug. 17 and run through Oct. 13 at the latest.