Rockets officially reopen Toyota Center to players for workouts

For the first time in two months amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Rockets players can work out (individually) at Toyota Center.

In what they hope could be an initial step toward resuming the 2019-20 season, the Houston Rockets reopened the doors of Toyota Center to players on Monday for voluntary individual workouts.

It’s the first time the Rockets have welcomed players inside their home arena since March 19, which was when the NBA decided to shut all team facilities in an effort to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). All league games were put on hold a week earlier.

The NBA began allowing teams to reopen facilities on May 8, if permissible by local regulations. As such, the Rockets waited until May 18 to comply with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s phased reopening plan.

For now, NBA facilities are only open on a limited basis for individual player workouts under strict physical distancing protocols, and not for any sort of conventional group practice. Head coaches, such as Mike D’Antoni in Houston, are not yet allowed to attend. Nonetheless, it is still a significant milestone as the league begins to ramp up operations.

Recent media reports have cited positive momentum for the NBA’s potential restart at a neutral location (without fans) this summer.

The exact timing of a return to traditional contact practices is unknown, though The Ringer reported on May 8 that the NBA hopes to begin formal team training camps in each of its cities by early to mid June.

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