:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66716227/1206534793.jpg.5.jpg)
UPDATE: Well, that didn’t take too long. The NBA has decided to wait until no earlier than May 8 to re-open practice facilities, pushing back the original date by a week, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
The NBA has informed its franchises that it is targeting no earlier than May 8 for any use of team's practice facility, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The NBA will continue to monitor coronavirus pandemic with its timings.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
Teams were planning on opening up practice facilities to players and staff on Friday, though it would be strictly for individual workouts — no large practices. Shams has more details on the NBA’s new plan for re-opening practice facilities. The League is essentially giving teams the option to open them on May 8 if their city is cool with it.
Sources: If an NBA team facility’s city is no longer subject to stay-at-home order, it may make facility open potentially starting May 8:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
- Individual workouts; no more than four players permitted at facility at one time
- Max of one team staffer in person
NBA has informed its teams of this reality in a memo, per sources: “It is not possible or appropriate in the current public health context to regularly test all players and staff for COVID-19.” These protocols may be modified.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
Sources: When NBA’s facilities open as soon as May 8, players must wear facemasks at all times, except when in physical activity; staffers working with players must wear gloves; physical distancing of at least 12 feet.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
Each team will have a designated Facility Hygiene Officer. This position will be held by a senior executive, so we won’t get anyone like LeBron James in this role.
Sources: The NBA has informed each team to assign one senior executive to this position -- Facility Hygiene Officer.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
The NBA is receiving a fair amount of pushback on their decision to re-open practice facilities this week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday afternoon.
NBA has received significant pushback from teams about idea of re-opening practice facilities in selected states and municipalities, team officials tell ESPN. Competive balance hasn't been issue -- player/staff safety has. Teams are still awaiting a more detailed NBA plan today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2020
The Atlanta Hawks won’t open their practice facilities for personnel to use on Friday despite the NBA allowing teams to do so. The Hawks are opting to stay on the safe side. Woj got a direct quote from Hawks GM Travis Schlenk.
Hawks President of Basketball Operations/GM Travis Schlenk tells ESPN that Hawks won’t be opening team facility to players Friday. “We are going to wait and see what happens in the state over the couple of weeks,” Schlenk tells ESPN. Georgia relaxed stay-at-home policies.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2020
Now there’s a chance the NBA will decide to move the date back from this Friday, perhaps a week or two, per Woj.
There's some expectation the NBA could move that re-opening date back from Friday -- perhaps a week or so -- especially with Hawks now holding off on re-opening their facility until they have a better sense of how loosening of restrictions impacts region. https://t.co/0vsP7L6WJT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2020