NEW YORK — After a lockout that has lasted more than three months, whether the NBA season starts on time could come down to one “very huge day” in labor talks.
Owners and players will be back today for a full bargaining session, knowing if they fail to produce results, there may not be enough time left to avoid canceling regular-season games.
“A lot of signs point to (today) being a very huge day,” players association president Derek Fisher of the Lakers said. “There will be a lot of pressure on all of us in the room, and we’ll accept that responsibility and go in and see what we can get worked out.”
The sides met in small groups Monday for about five hours, a session that deputy commissioner Adam Silver said was mainly about “setting the table” for today. While careful not to put too much pressure on today’s talks, he and commissioner David Stern made clear there had to be signs of compromise.
“Each side understands exactly what’s at stake and where potentially there is movement in order to try to get a deal done,” Silver said. “I mean, we can only say we’re running out of time so many times.”
The regular season is scheduled to open Nov. 1. Players would have reported to training camps Monday, but those were postponed and 43 preseason games scheduled for Oct. 9-15 were canceled last month.
Crosby to begin season on injured list
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby‘s return to the ice will have to wait a little longer.
The team placed the former MVP on the injured list, meaning he’ll have to miss at least the first week of the season.
Crosby is continuing to recover from concussion- like symptoms suffered last January. He has been skating with the Penguins since training camp opened but has not yet been cleared for contact.
• Top overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will start the season with the Oilers and is set to make his NHL debut against the Penguins at home Sunday.
Nugent-Hopkins, 18, might yet end up back in junior hockey because Edmonton has roster decisions remaining.
“To be honest, all I know is I’m going to Jasper (Alberta),” Nugent-Hopkins said. “That’s all I really know. They haven’t really told me anything, so I’m just going to take it one day at a time.”
• First-round draft pick Mark Scheifele signed an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets have nine games to decide whether to keep the seventh overall selection or send the Kitchener, Ontario, native back for a second year of junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts.
• City officials approved a plan to keep the financially troubled Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio, until 2039 by allowing their home, Nationwide Arena, to be purchased with the help of casino revenue.
WCMH-TV reported that the Columbus City Council approved the plan Monday. It also faces approval by the mayor and county commissioners.
• Alex Ovechkin is leaving the Washington Capitals for a few days after a death in his family.
Donovan out with injury
MIAMI — Forward Landon Donovan will miss upcoming U.S. matches against Honduras and Ecuador because of a strained right quadriceps.
The Associated Press
