League, union to stiffen COVID virus protocols
With five games called off this week already and more teams dealing with virus-related issues, the NBA and the Players Association enacted additional rules Tuesday in the hope of keeping the season going safely.
For “at least the next two weeks,” the league and union said, players and team staff will have to remain at their residence when in their home markets and are prohibited from leaving their hotels when on the road.
Utah’s game in Washington scheduled for today was postponed because contact-tracing issues among the Wizards meant they wouldn’t have eight available players. Orlando’s game in Boston today is also off, the third postponement since Sunday involving the Celtics.
All that is permitted in home markets, for now, is “to attend team-related activities at the team facility or arena, exercise outside, or perform essential activities,” the league and union said. On the road, team activities and emergencies are the only allowable reasons for leaving hotels.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said “it would be irresponsible and unacceptable” to not seek better ways to keep players safe.
“No one wants to see more restrictions imposed,” Roberts said. “No one also wants to see the infection rate increase if there are steps we can take to mitigate the risk. Our experts have concluded that these new procedures will add to our arsenal of weapons against the virus.”
There are at least 36 players in the league dealing with virus-related issues or protocols when Tuesday began, based on information released by teams. That number went up in part because of the Wizards’ situation; it was not clear how many are affected there.
Most current player issues are believed to be related to contact tracing. LEAGUE INVESTIGATING VIDEO OF MASKLESS IRVING >> Video surfaced of Kyrie Irving at a family birthday party without a mask, and the NBA reportedly is investigating the time and location of the event with the likelihood of discipline to follow. Irving has missed three consecutive games for the Brooklyn Nets and remains idle due to personal reasons.
ESPN and The Athletic reported Ir ving likely would not be allowed to play until next week, meaning his availability is doubtful for games today at the New York Knicks and Saturday against the Orlando Magic.
76ERS 137, HEAT 134, OT >>
Joel Embiid had 45 points and 16 rebounds, Dakota Mathias’ only basket of the game was a go-ahead 3-pointer with 26.1 seconds left, and the Philadelphia 76ers hung on to beat the undermanned Miami Heat in overtime. NETS 122, NUGGETS 116 >> Kevin Durant had 34 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, Bruce Brown made a huge contribution while starting for the absent Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets rallied from 18 down to beat the Denver Nuggets.
LAKERS 117, ROCKETS 100 >>
LeBron James scored 26 points in just more than three quarters and the Los Angeles Lakers never trailed in a rout of the Houston Rockets.
Anthony Davis added 19 points and 10 rebounds in three quarters to help the Lakers to their second straight blowout over the Rockets.