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Nearly two months after the NBA closed team facilities due to COVID-19, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum is relieved to finally be back on a basketball court.
"It's interesting, man. I like that we are able to escape a little bit, because basketball is like therapy, and to get back into a normal routine is helpful for me," McCollum told The Athletic's Jason Quick.
McCollum's comments echo those of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who said his spirits were raised by returning to a sense of normalcy.
The Trail Blazers were one of three teams - along with the Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets - that allowed players to return to team facilities Friday while adhering to social distancing protocols.
"Somebody is on the court, somebody in the weight room, somebody on the (training) table," McCollum added. "It's an adjustment for the coaches and staff, but it's been nice to see everybody and to work out. This is the first time I've been able to shoot in like 50 days."
Along with McCollum, eight other Portland players attended workouts that day, according to NBC Sports' Dwight Jaynes.
McCollum recently expressed his concerns about reopening facilities, particularly about whether the rewards of doing so outweighed the risks. Other players around the league also previously questioned the value of returning to team facilities given the significant restrictions currently being enforced.
The Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings are the next two teams set to grant players limited access to their respective training facilities, starting on Monday.
