Lakers get OK to open practice facility, per report
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The Los Angeles Lakers will open their practice facility on Saturday after getting clearance from city and county health officials, per a report by The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania.
The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the county was “with all certainty” expected to extend its stay-at-home order through at least July. The Lakers had reportedly been in talks with the city mayor’s office about reopening the facility.
The NBA targeted May 8 as an official reopen date for team facilities, though only a few franchises took advantage.
Practice facility availability will be limited
The Lakers facility will not be open every day of the week, Charania reported. The NBA imposed strict regulations for those that do open their facilities in line with local government restrictions and policy.
Per the NBA memo:
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No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time.
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No head or assistant coaches could participate.
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Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages.
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Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs, fitness centers, or gyms
When will NBA season resume?
There is forward momentum toward the NBA restarting its season after it postponed games on March 11. Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported on Tuesday that players are organizing to present a united front of getting back to playing games. And owners are feeling “increasingly positive” about resuming play after speaking with commissioner Adam Silver this week.
The major sticking point is the availability of testing for the COVID-19 virus. No format has been agreed upon for how the NBA will return, though ideas have been floated ranging from games in one location to holding a play-in style tournament for the postseason.
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