NBA ON THE WAY BACK

THE NBA has taken the first tiny steps towards a return to normal, with a small number of practice facilities reopening for workouts, and at least one team receiving permission from the league to test players and staff for the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, NBA commissioner Adam Silver took part in a teleconference with members of the National Basketball Players Association on the weekend.

Silver told players that the league was still aiming to hold full best-of-seven playoff series should the season resume, and that playing without fans was an obvious possibility.

He also spoke about the wellknown notion of having the season resume in a centralised location, though he cautioned that no decisions may be made for several weeks.

Cleveland and Portland were open for players who wanted to get voluntary workouts in, with Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman among the first to be back on an NBA practice court since the league ordered those facilities closed seven weeks ago.

“Great to be back,” Osman wrote on Instagram, as he took a selfie standing in what appeared to be an otherwise empty practice gym.

In another good sign, the Orlando Magic revealed that it had been authorised by health officials in Orange County, Florida, to test players and staff. Orange County told the Magic it had more than enough testing resources for health-care workers and asymptomatic individuals.

“With the Orange County Department of Health authorisation, the NBA has advised us that we are able to have our players tested,” Magic spokesman Joel Glass said.

The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers are also expected to be able to follow suit soon and test players and staff with the approval of local officials.

The NBA has yet to implement a full-scale testing program for all teams. The NBA, like other major US leagues, also is trying to avoid any sense that it is jumping the testing line by getting players tested in cities where necessary resources are scarce.