NBA: LA Lakers to 'open facility for workout on May 16'

By Emre Asikci

ANKARA (AA) - Los Angeles Lakers plan reopening their practice facilities on May 16, which were suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, an NBA insider said on Thursday.

"Date the Lakers are targeting as of now to reopen practice facility under NBA's protocols: May 16, sources tell," Shams Charania tweeted.

"Lakers are hopeful to open facility then — and will continue working with the appropriate government and health officials to ensure safety for players and staff during the fluid coronavirus situation," he added.

Teams including Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets also aim to open facilities to players on Friday.

In March, the virus had forced the NBA to pause the 2019-2020 season after Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz tested positive.

To date, the US has the highest number of COVID-19 infections and virus-linked deaths in the world -- over 1.22 million and more than 73,400, respectively, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Virus cases have been reported in 187 countries and regions since it emerged in China last December. The pandemic has killed nearly 264,000 worldwide, with total infections over 3.75 million, and recoveries surpassing 1.24 million.