Author: Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina, USA TODAY

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had minutes to make a decision that would not just alter the sports calendar but signal the enormity of COVID’s impact.

At the halfway point of the NBA season, USA TODAY’s Mark Medina and Jeff Zillgitt look at the favorites to take home the major awards.

Damian Lillard is an easy choice, but some players who are having All-Star seasons won’t be named to the team because it becomes a numbers crunch.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers and Wizards coach Scott Brooks lamented the storming of the Capitol on Wednesday ahead of their NBA game in Philadelphia.

From the arrival of the coronavirus through months of play in a bubble, the NBA trusted science, medicine and data in completing its season.

Paul George’s decision to commit long term to the Clippers could portend a similar deal for Kawhi Leonard as he is set to become a free agent in 2021.

Gordon Hayward and Fred VanVleet were among the winners along with a few NBA teams who made moves to improve rosters immediately as free agency began.

As NBA free agency began, the Lakers put themselves in a position to repeat by acquiring Montrezl Harrell, while Gordon Hayward’s move was a surprise.

After free agency opened Friday, things were busy again Saturday. Rajon Rondo joined the Hawks, and Serge Ibaka agreed with the Clippers.