Report: NBA to loosen practice restrictions for players on May 1

In what could be a step toward resuming the 2019-20 NBA season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday that the NBA will begin opening some team practice facilities to players on May 1.

According to Wojnarowski, team facilities will be opened in cities and states where local governments have eased stay-at-home orders. Players will be allowed to work out individually on a voluntary basis, but larger group workouts will remain prohibited for the time being.

In markets where restrictions have not been loosened, Wojnarowski says the league plans to work with teams on other arrangements.

After suspending the 2019-20 season indefinitely on March 11 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the league ordered all team practice facilities shut on March 19 in an attempt to limit exposure.

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

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to issue an updated timeline this Monday on the state’s reopening, with Abbott’s decision overriding any local orders. The state’s current stay-at-home order expires April 30.

Wojnarowski cautioned that the decision on opening team facilities does not mean that resuming the season is imminent. However, the May 1 timeline does line up with a previous statement from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on when there could potentially be more news.

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