NBA permitted Pelicans to rehab Zion, Williams at practice facility

Although the NBA shut down team training facilities to both players and staff in late March, the New Orleans Pelicans received special clearance to continue rehabbing Zion Williamson and Kenrich Williams at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.

The Pelicans medical team submitted a formal proposal to the NBA, explaining why it was "urgent enough" for Williamson and Williams to continue receiving treatment at the club's practice facility.

Williamson missed the first 45 games of the 2019-20 season due to a torn right lateral meniscus and went through a rigorous rehab that focused on reworking his movement and landing technique. Meanwhile, Williams hasn't played since Jan. 6 due to a back injury.

"As you guys know, the flexibility aspect with Zion was really critical, so they've been able to continue to focus on that," said Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. "They weren't able to do any court work during that period of time, but they were able to get the work in needed on the table, and so that was important. We're grateful that the league allowed for that."

In early May, Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand revealed Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were among those granted access to the team's practice facility before some clubs began reopening on May 8.

Simmons missed the 76ers' last eight contests due to a nerve impingement in his lower back but will be ready to go should the season resume, ESPN's Jackie MacMullan reports. Embiid had just returned from a five-game absence due to a shoulder injury when the 2019-20 campaign was put on hold.