SALT LAKE CITY-Monday, the Utah Jazz welcomed players back to the Zions Bank Basketball Campus, the squad announced.
Friday, the NBA began to allow teams to open their practice facilities for the first time since March 11.
The league was shuttered after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
Joining the Jazz in opening their doors for practice sessions were the Portland Trail Blazers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks.
Dennis Lindsey, the franchise’s vice president of basketball operations, confirmed the Jazz first needed to meet the state’s standards before this could occur.
Presently, the NBA is only allowing four players into the facility at a time.
Additionally, players cannot share one basket and head coaches, top assistants and front office members are disallowed from aiding in the workouts.
Jazz players who have left the state are disallowed from returning to the Beehive State via a team-provided private plane. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said such behavior represents a competitive advantage. If they are to return to Utah, they must do so by traveling on their own.
Presently, guards Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley Jr. are all stationed out of state.
It remains to be seen what the NBA can do moving forward but it is apparent that the Jazz’s Monday practice was a definitive step in the right direction.
