On Oct. 15, 1998, the NBA was forced to cancel the first two weeks of the season due to the ongoing lockout per Reddit user BLIZZARDFACE. The lockout would last longer than the first two weeks of the season as it lasted into January and the season was eventually shortened to 50 games. It was the third lockout in the history of the NBA.

This lockout was the result of ongoing tensions between the league and the Players Union. The 1998-99 lockout was the height of the tension, but the league suffered through multiple lockouts in the years prior. The 1995 lockout lasted a few months and another lockout in 1996 lasted a few hours. Neither lockout resulted in a shortened season.

The fourth — and last — lockout came in 2011. The lockout lasted until December and this was the second time the league had to employ a shorter schedule due to a lockout. The teams played a 66-game schedule and opening night fell on Christmas Day. The league recovered well from this lockout.

The last thing fans want to see is a shortened season due to a lockout. Luckily for them, the current collective bargaining agreement lasts through the 2023-2024 season and both possessing an opt-out clause following the 2022-2023 season. Hopefully, the NBA and the Players Union can reach another successful deal in the future and avoid the fifth lockout in league history.