The Indiana Pacers will open the 2020-21 NBA season at home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Dec. 23 against the New York Knicks.

However, fans will not be able to purchase tickets to see that game.

As the league contemplates how best to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, teams received dates for their schedules for the first half of the season Friday.

This year’s regular season is starting later than usual because of the delayed finish to the 2019-20 season and has been cut to 72 games. Ordinarily, 82 games would be played. The first games of the new season are scheduled for Dec. 22.

"As we continue to train our staff and partners to ensure the safest possible environment for our guests and players, out of an abundance of caution, we have decided that we will not have public ticket sales for the beginning of the regular season," team officials announced. "We look forward to having fans back in Bankers Life Fieldhouse in January, and we will provide updates in the near future."