On the 148th day of the NBA lockout, a tentative deal has been reached.
The 2011 – 2012 NBA season is scheduled to tip-off on Christmas Day, and will feature a 66-game schedule.
The league’s commissioner, David Stern, said:
“We’ve reached a tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations … but we’re optimistic that that will all come to pass, and that the N.B.A. season will begin on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, with a tripleheader.”
As for the games, it’s likely the league will keep the matchups that were already on the schedule: the Boston Celtics at the Knicks, followed by the Miami Heat at the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Below is some of the reaction from NBA fans and players alike:
@carmeloanthony
Carmelo AnthonyJust wanna say Thank You to the fans for your patience and understanding thru all this!!!!!! Glad to give you the game of basketball back.
8 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@CHARLESBARRKLEY
Charles BarkleyNBA planning to have it’s opening game on Christmas Day. Celtics-Knicks, Heat-Mavs, Bulls-Lakers scheduled this day. RT – IF YOU HAPPY 13 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@tomclarkcomedy
Tom ClarkLebron said he felt like one of his kids on Xmas morning when he heard NBA strike was over, not sure why he’d feel a sense of abandonment. 1 hour ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@StephenCurry30
Stephen CurryHow I feel right now lol http://t.co/qV3cFR8o 14 hours ago via Photos on iOS · powered by @socialditto
@swish41
Dirk NowitzkiNba is back? Great news today. I’m so happy for all our fans and all the people who work in and around the arenas. Go mavs 7 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto
@Baron_Davis
Baron DavisGlad 2 hear we R gettin back on the court soon…. Excited for the fans and everyone around the game 3 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto
@SHAQ
SHAQNba is back baby http://t.co/OtO8VBJG 7 hours ago via Tout.com · powered by @socialditto
@Amareisreal
Amar’e StoudemireI can finally change my profile pic. Haha. #NBABACK 5 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@JHarden13
James Harden#ThunderUp!!!!!!!!!! 5 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto