Basketball fans hoping for a quick resolution to the legal battle in California between NBA players and owners were handed some disappointing news — the first court date is set for Feb. 29.

An official for the Northern District of California said Wednesday the date was the first one available when the players filed their antitrust complaint Tuesday night in Oakland.

The season can still start before February, however, because both sides acknowledge that an antitrust settlement could be agreed to at any time, even without the help of the courts.

If they do reach court on that day then the season would almost surely be lost. The league’s drop-dead date for a season during the 1999 lockout was the first week in January.

via Fox Sports