COVID rules emphasized in wake of NBA’s surge
NEW YORK — The Warriors plan to “ramp up” COVID-19 protocols in the wake of a surge of positive tests throughout the NBA, head coach Steve Kerr said before Tuesday night’s game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“For sure more mask-wearing,” Kerr said when asked to specify how the team will increase its safeguards against the coronavirus. “We’re going to be here tonight and tomorrow night. Obviously, it’s a great place to go out and have fun. It’s a reminder to our guys to go out and be safe. Not be jammed into a big crowd of people somewhere.”
Kerr’s comments came shortly after news broke Tuesday that the Nets had ruled out four players for that night’s game against the Raptors. Brooklyn’s LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre’ Bembry, James Johnson and Jevon Carter joined Paul Millsap, who was ruled out Monday, on the injury report.
Those coronavirus-related absences come 10 days after the Nets faced the Bulls, who were just starting a stretch at the time in which their roster was decimated by a COVID-19 outbreak. Chicago has had 10 players enter protocols and two games against Detroit and Toronto postponed — the first ones pushed back in the NBA this season.
The Knicks also are dealing with coronavirus-related issues. They’ve had three players in the past four days enter the protocols: RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes.
“I don’t think I’ve gotten to the point where I felt like we were past (COVID-19), but it’s felt like a return to normalcy in terms of the atmosphere at games,” Kerr said. “It’s been great having crowds and feeling the energy. That part’s been a breath of fresh air. But obviously, everyone’s still wearing masks.
“Now, all of a sudden, there’s a surge. Every day, I’m reading headlines about different teams in different sports that have guys being sidelined. So, we’re about to ramp up
our own protocols for our players, our coaching staff and our whole traveling party. Hopefully, we’ll be able to stay ahead of this. We’ll see.”