NBA players have tentatively agreed a 72-game 2020-21 season to start on December 22, the players union said in a statement on Friday.

After being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2019-20 campaign resumed in a bio-secure bubble and was concluded on 11 October with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the championship.

The unusual nature of last season meant the next campaign would start later than usual and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) say a 72-game season – not the usual 82 – had been approved to begin just before Christmas.

“The Board of Player Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has tentatively approved a start date of December 22, 2020 for the 2020-2021 NBA season and a 72-game schedule,” a statement read on Thursday.

“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 Lakers won their 17th championship and first since 2010 by overcoming the Miami Heat 4-2 in the 2020 NBA Finals with star guard LeBron James named NBA Finals MVP.