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After word broke this weekend that the NBA was considering opening practice facilities in states that loosened stay-at-home guidelines, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that many are still urging a cautious approach:
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
A week from Friday would be May 8, a date that the Athletic’s Shams Charania is also reporting:
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
Additionally, Shams shared some of the guidelines that the NBA has given its franchises:
Teams were also informed today that players are not allowed to use any practice/training facility for workouts other than his NBA team. https://t.co/AKaXnfmJoe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
The moves make sense, with teams such as the Atlanta Hawks seemingly not chomping at the bit to reopen:
Just spoke with Hawks GM Travis Schlenk.
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) April 27, 2020
The Hawks have received no official word from the league that practice facilities will be allowed to reopen Friday.
Even if they had, they would NOT reopen Friday, as they want to be cautious/see how the loosened restrictions go.