NBA changes workout date after Hawks hesitate

After the Atlanta Hawks were unwilling to immediately reopen the franchise's practice facility for players to return for limited workouts, the NBA sent a memo to teams pushing back its reopening date to May 8.

The league had been planning to reopen facilities beginning with the Hawks, because the state of Georgia had been among the first states to loosen stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are going to wait and see what happens in the state over the couple weeks," Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk told ESPN. "If there's a positive response, we'll slowly open up. If it's a negative response, we'll make sure our staff and players remain healthy."

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According to the memo, the usage of the facility would be limited to no more than four players at any one time and no coaches would be allowed to participate. Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities, such as fitness centers.

The NBA said it could push back the opening date further "if developments warrant."