Kings return to practice facility as NBA nears possible return from COVID-19 shutdown
Players are returning to practice facilities and momentum seems to be growing for a return to play in the NBA nine weeks after the league suspended its season due to the coronavirus crisis.
Team owners and executives were optimistic after participating in a Board of Governors call with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday, according to ESPN. Teams were reportedly encouraged by the league’s progress toward minimizing health risks and recent conversations with the National Basketball Players Association.
Kings forward Harrison Barnes, the team’s representative in the players association, said there is increasing confidence the season will continue. It’s still unclear whether the NBA would play out the regular season, proceed directly to the playoffs or hold a play-in tournament for teams like the Kings that were on the playoff bubble.
“I think a lot of it’s up in the air still, but I think there’s a growing sense of optimism around the fact that there will be games again this season,” Barnes told NBA TV on Friday. “Whether that looks like 16 teams or all the teams playing – whatever type of format, I think that’s all still in the air, but I think there’s a growing confidence that there will be games at some point to finish out the season.”
When the NBA suspended its season March 11, the Kings were tied with the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers for ninth in the Western Conference, 3½ games behind the Memphis Grizzlies with 18 games remaining.
A league source told The Sacramento Bee a number of players have taken part in voluntary individual workouts at Golden 1 Center since the team reopened its practice facility Monday. The source said “a handful” of players participated in workouts and enhanced COVID-19 safety procedures “went smoothly.”
Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that some of the NBA’s biggest stars unanimously supported the idea of resuming the season during a private conference call Monday. The call included Chris Paul, the president of the players association, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook.
If the season continues, games will likely be played without spectators in one or two centralized locations, which could include Las Vegas and Orlando. Silver told the Board of Governors a decision could come in two to four weeks, sources told The Athletic.
