Getty Image
The NBA will begin allowing teams to open their practice facilities to players “in cities and states where local governments have eased stay-at-home orders” on Friday, May 1, according to ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski said that as long as it is permitted by the state’s government, teams will be allowed to make facilities open to players on a voluntary basis for individual work. However, larger group workouts are still not allowed.
For players in markets that have yet to loosen restrictions, the NBA reportedly plans on working with other teams to figure out a way to extend these privileges to those players.
Additionally, Wojnarowski notes that while the NBA is allowing teams to re-open their personal practice facilities, that does not mean that a resumption of the 2019-20 season is imminent. At this time, the league remains unsure if or when they’ll be able to resume league play.
Sources: Teams will be allowed to make facilities open to players on a voluntary basis for individual work, but larger group workouts will still be prohibited. In NBA markets that aren't loosening restrictions, league plans to work w/ teams on other arrangements for players. https://t.co/yZSKsXedW1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020
NBA's decision on opening practice facilities to players in markets where governments may be loosening stay-at-home orders doesn't mean a resumption of season is imminent. The NBA is still unsure on if/when it can play again. But getting players safely into gyms was a priority.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020
The NBA originally suspended play indefinitely on Wednesday, March 11, following the news that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the ailment currently ravaging the globe. Following Gobert’s positive test result, teammate and All-Star Donovan Mitchell also tested positive.
Gobert was widely criticized for his nonchalant reaction to the issue, as he was filmed jokingly yet purposefully touching the microphones of reporters at a press conference prior to his diagnosis.
While there is currently no word or timeline on the season itself resuming, this sort of. progress represents a step in the right direction towards eventually getting sports back.
The NBA isn’t the only internationally-followed sports league to begin making these sort of forward-thinking moves, as the Bundesliga recently announced they’re ready to resume behind closed doors on May 9 if the German government allowed it, while the Premier League in England is reportedly working on a “Project Restart.”
***
Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com