Report: Some NBA facilities may open May 8, could include the Rockets

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that some NBA teams will be allowed to open their facilities starting May 8, which may include the Houston Rockets.

It has been a frustrating six-plus weeks since the NBA played its last game of the season amid the global coronavirus pandemic. Since then, hardly any actual news has come out regarding some type of return to basketball normalcy for the Houston Rockets and entire league alike.

While the league has been doing its best to keep its fans and players entertained with events such as the NBA 2K tournament and HORSE challenge, nothing has really come close to the excitement of NBA action.

Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke some news that doesn’t exactly indicate a resumption of the season is near but is still a good sign nonetheless.

Beginning on May 1, the NBA is allowing teams to open their practice facilities to players in cities and states where local governments have eased stay-at-home orders, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020

UPDATE: Shams Charania shared Monday, April 27, that the new expected date will be May 8.

The NBA has informed its franchises that it is targeting no earlier than May 8 for any use of team's practice facility, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The NBA will continue to monitor coronavirus pandemic with its timings.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020

Recently, some states such as Florida and Texas have begun to re-open more businesses in an effort to limit economic damages. Given that the Rockets are in a state that could be opening up even more in the coming days, it’s possible that there could be some members of the team using their facilities on an individual basis come the Friday after next.

Wojnarowski expanded on the news, explaining how there will still be restrictions against group workouts:

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

While the Rockets won’t get to run any drills together anytime soon, this is certainly a step in the right direction for those that have been needing a place to put in work. One of the biggest questions during this hiatus has been how NBA players can stay ready, which was clearly on the league’s minds as well.

The news is definitely encouraging for those desperately waiting for NBA action to resume, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the league is almost back. As Wojnarowski added in a later tweet, the NBA “is still unsure on if and when it can play again.”