NBA extends practice ban, looking into long summer

By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

The best-case scenario considered by NBA executives is for 2019-20 action to resume mid-to-late June, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Teams have already been informed to find dates for playoff games at home during the summer, which can be used if health security can be guaranteed at that point. This potential outcome was among the first discussed, but fears for a completely canceled season due to the coronavirus pandemic still exist among league officials.

Measures implemented in the USA include recommendations on events with over 50 people gathered to be postponed or canceled for the next couple of months. The timeline and its restrictions directly affect sporting events and the NBA itself. Consecutively, several NBA teams consider a return in mid-to-late June for games behind closed doors a possibility.

It’s not entirely up to the NBA to get the players back on the courts. Teams seem to wish to be flexible facing various potential solutions as the financial cost of prematurely ending the season or action resuming without fans. Even settling for smaller venues if and when games are permitted to take place is among routes under consideration.

On a relative note, after initially prohibiting team practices for the weekend, the NBA has extended that ban indefinitely, reports ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Players can still work individually. They are also permitted to travel outside their team’s city provided they respect overall health guidelines and consult with their organization, adds The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Apart from the NBA, most executives are expecting the 2019-20 G League season to be canceled, ESPN reports. No confirmation yet, but most teams are moving forward assuming that play will not resume. The regular season was supposed to end on March 28 and the playoffs to tip-off in early April.

Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus prompting the decision to suspend both the NBA and the G League 2019-20 season. Donovan Mitchell and Christian Wood are the other two NBA players that since tested positive. Over 3,000 confirmed cases in the United States are reported, including 68 fatalities.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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