NBA Will Push Target Date For Opening Facilities Back To May 8

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA will push the target date for reopening team facilities back to May 8 according to New York Times reporter Marc Stein. Over the weekend, reports emerged that the league would consider opening team operated courts as soon as May 1 in cities with looser stay-at-home orders.

The NBA is anxious to return to the court in light of the coronavirus pandemic but wants to assure itself that it isn’t risking further delays by reopening its doors too quickly.

Following a board of governors meeting two weeks ago, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver warned fans against looking to circle a day on the calendar for the league to return.

On a conference call, NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league is looking at data, not dates. The league is not even to a place where if A, B, C were to happen, there would be a path to return. Many “bubble like concepts” have been proposed but “we’ve only listened.”

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 17, 2020

“It’s about the data, not the date.” Silver said.

Though organizations will continue to be prevented from holding full team practices when the league does again open its facilities, players on the roster will be able to utilize the open gyms to resuming their conditioning while the league is on hiatus.

The state of Utah is expected to begin loosening stay-at-home restrictions this week which should pave the way for Jazz players who have remained in the state to return to the team’s facilities by mid-May.

I am still reviewing recommendations from the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission to transition Utah to an Orange phase. Good trends in data show that we could make that transition as early as the end of next week. pic.twitter.com/AxrhSUD9OL

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) April 24, 2020

One hurdle NBA teams have faced has been the unequal resources its players have had access too while sidelined. As many of the league’s players rent apartment complexes during the season, few have access to private gyms or even basketball hoops, leaving a high percentage of players unable to shoot a basketball, much less simulate a competitive game.

If the league is able to reopen its practice facilities, no more than four players would be allowed in the building at a time for workouts and treatment according to Stein.

Several Jazz players have left the state since the NBA shuttered its doors. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell traveled back home to be closer to his family after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Got a two-letter lead 🐴#TeamMike | @espn pic.twitter.com/poCOBlyOY3

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 17, 2020

Jordan Clarkson returned to his California during the hiatus, while Mike Conley traveled to his Ohio home which features his own personal indoor basketball training facility.

When players do return, they will be required to wear facemasks except when participating in physical activity. Any staffers that are assisting the players will be required to wear gloves according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.