Players OK’d to be tested; NBA eyes games in Orlando
The Orlando Magic have received permission from the NBA to test players for COVID-19, helping the team create the safest environment it can when reopening facilities for individual workouts during the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA cleared teams to open facilities Friday to voluntary individual workouts, with stipulations from the league focused on the safety of players and staff involved. The choice to open applied only to markets where at-home or shelter-inplace orders were no longer in effect.
Earlier this week, Magic CEO Alex Martins told the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force the NBA was ready to play into September if necessary to complete the 2019-20 season. Still, a number of issues remain before play can resume.
National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had a call for all players Friday to address concerns and provide an open forum for questions about how to move forward in resuming the season.
Silver reportedly told players not to expect fans at games if the season resumes. The league can wait until June before making a decision on the season, and there will be a risk until a vaccine is discovered, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Silver also said a return would be safer in one to two locations, such as Disney World and Las Vegas, as opposed to teams traveling to different cities and facilities, Charania reported.
When asked what happens if a player tests positive after the season resumes, Silver said the league would hope to have daily testing in place and would not stop play, instead isolating the player in quarantine, according to Charania.