Wizards guard Bradley Beal has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will be out for tomorrow’s preseason game at Charlotte. He will return to the team upon receiving clearance under the current NBA guidelines.
Tag: coronavirus
Nets fined $50,000 by NBA for Kyrie Irving reasons
The Brooklyn Nets organization has been fined $50,000 for violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols during the team’s March 13th game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center, the NBA announced today.
The violation occurred when the Nets permitted Kyrie Irving, who was in attendance at the game, to enter the team’s locker room.
Update on mask mandates for Minnesota Timberwolves home games
The Minnesota Timberwolves released the below statement on the City of Minneapolis’ mask mandate:
Beginning with tonight’s game against Memphis, effective immediately, Timberwolves fans attending games at Target Center will not be required to wear a mask while inside the arena. This immediate action follows the City’s lifting of the mask mandate announced this morning.
COVID restrictions mostly lifted for Utah Jazz home games starting Feb. 25, 2022
FROM THE UTAH JAZZ
Effective February 25, the requirement for proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be lifted to gain access to Utah Jazz home games at Vivint Arena.
The use of proper face coverings remains a recommended practice as an effective health tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinations and boosters are urged as the best defense against the virus. Per NBA health and safety protocols, masks are still required for individuals in designated areas surrounding the basketball court.
Other Vivint Arena events will adhere to the specific COVID-19 protocols of the event organizer or concert/show promoter which could require mandatory masks and/or proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event time. For upcoming events, ticket holders should check the particular status of their event at www.vivintarena.com.
Chicago Bulls games on December 14 and 16 postponed
The next two Chicago Bulls games – Tuesday, Dec. 14 against the Detroit Pistons and Thursday, Dec. 16 at Toronto – have been postponed.
Ten Bulls players, along with additional staff members, are currently in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.
LeBron James enters NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols
The Lakers, who are still finding their way this season, will be without LeBron James for hopefully just a very brief while. Via the Los Angeles Times:
LeBron James has entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols and will miss the Lakers’ game tonight against the Sacramento Kings, the team announced.
According to NBA rules, vaccinated players, like James, enter the protocols either after a positive test result or after inconclusive test results. According to the protocols, a vaccinated player can return if he tests negative for the virus on consecutive tests 24 hours apart or if it’s been 10 days without symptoms.
And from the Orange County Register:
While the Lakers did not officially say what triggered the action, ESPN reported that James is expected to miss multiple games, implying that the Lakers star has tested positive for COVID-19. Players and staffers can also enter protocols for a close encounter with someone who has tested positive.
At the very least, it means that James missed Tuesday night’s game at the Sacramento Kings – and will perhaps miss much more time.
“Obviously it’s a huge loss. It’s disappointing,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “We just want the best for him right now. That’s where our thoughts are. And we have a next-man-up mindset.”
Cavs forward Kevin Love enters NBA’s health and safety protocols
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols today and will miss tonight’s road game against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Cavs are a respectable 3-4 to start the season. Their leading scorers so far are Collin Sexton at 17.3 points per game, Ricky Rubio at 14.0 ppg, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland each at 13.4 ppg, and Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen each at 11.7 ppg.
Love has come off the bench for all seven games so far and in 20.7 minutes per game is averaging 9.9 ppg and 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Clippers are fully vaccinated, says coach Tyronn Lue
Here’s the the Los Angeles Times with a Clippers health update:
The Clippers are fully vaccinated, coach Tyronn Lue said Wednesday.
“Our guys are vaccinated, so, we just have to do whatever the league tells us to do, we try to abide by the rules and kind of go from there,” Lue said at San Diego State, where the Clippers are holding training camp. “And we talked about it last year, just being able to adapt and do what we need to do to play the game that we love. And so, certain players, certain people have different beliefs, so I respect those beliefs. And our guys are fully vaccinated, so I respect their beliefs as well.”
Asked again whether the Clippers are fully vaccinated, Lue answered, “yes.”
Cedric Ceballos remains in hospital dealing with serious COVID-19 issues
A popular former NBA player has been in an intense battle with COVID-19. Via ESPN.com:
Former NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk Contest champion Cedric Ceballos tweeted Monday that he’d been moved out of isolation and was “COVID-19 free” but was still in the intensive care unit and dealing with several things relating to the virus.
Thanking those wishing him well in recent days, Ceballos said that while he is out of isolation, he still is unable to “breathe, walk or function” on his own yet.
Hawks at Knicks Game 5 in MSG has sold out
The New York Knicks today announced that Game 5 of their 2021 NBA playoffs series against the Atlanta Hawks, scheduled for June 2, has sold out.
This follows Game 1, when the Knicks welcomed more than 15,000 fans and Game 2, when they expanded their seating for fully-vaccinated fans and increased capacity to more than 16,000.
Per the Knicks, the two games mark the largest indoor crowds to gather in New York since the start of the pandemic.
Also per the team, “given the enthusiastic response to vaccination requirements, the team also announced that, should they advance past round one, tickets will be sold exclusively to fully-vaccinated individuals.”
“The energy our Knicks fans have brought to the playoffs has been incredible – proving there’s nothing more exciting than Knicks basketball at The Garden,” said David Hopkinson, EVP, MSG Sports and President, Team Business Operations. “It’s moments like this that show us what’s possible if everyone gets vaccinated – we’ll all be able to get back to doing what we love— and that definitely includes being together to cheer on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.”
More from the team: “During the first round of the playoffs, fully-vaccinated fans are making up more than 90% of those in attendance at The Garden. Following New York State guidelines, fully-vaccinated sections do not require social distancing and individuals do not need to wear masks when seated. Children under the age of 16 are permitted to sit in a vaccinated section if they provide proof of a negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test, or full vaccination. Unvaccinated children must wear masks while seated in a vaccinated section, except while actively eating or drinking. Non-vaccinated fans have continued to sit in socially distanced seating and maintain mask requirements except while actively eating or drinking. For entry, all fans must present valid proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test, along with an appropriate ID matching their documentation.”