The 2021-22 NBA season is being bombarded with the newest COVID-19 variant causing mayhem within multiple teams that have been forced to cancel practices, postpone games and sign emergency hardship exemptions while outbreaks are navigated among several organizations.
Update: On Tuesday, League commissioner Adam Silver announced in an interview with Malika Andrews that the NBA would not be pausing the season for the second season since the 2019-2020 season. Silver also said that the Omricon is ‘beyond dominate’ while constituting 90 percent of positive tests.
REPORT: Per League insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA, and the players union have reached an agreement to lessen the quarantine period for COVID-positive players. Players that tested positive for COVID-19 can clear protocols after five days if their “CT values” are above 30.
If a team has three positive results, two replacement signings are required. For four or more positive tests, three replacement players will be required. Two-way players will reportedly also have no limit to the number of games they can appear in as well. If a team has 13 players available for a game they do not have to sign any players to a hardship exemption.
A game will only be postponed if a team doesn’t have at least eight players available to play. A tactic the NBA frequently utilized last year when officials postponed 31 games. The League has decided to postpone nine games in total.
Below is the list of players and coaches currently in the League’s health and safety protocols.
Atlanta Hawks (three players, head coach)
- Chris Clemons
- Gorgui Dieng
- Cameron Oliver
- Nate McMillan
Boston Celtics (one player)
- Payton Pritchard
Charlotte Hornets (one player)
- Vernon Carey Jr.
Chicago Bulls (one player)
- Alex Caruso
Dallas Mavericks (two players, head coach)
- Jason Kidd
- Boban Marjanovic
- Kristaps Porzingis
Denver Nuggets (one player)
- Petr Cornelie
Detroit Pistons (one player)
- Frank Jackson
Houston Rockets (one players)
- Usman Garuba
Indiana Pacers (six players)
- Justin Anderson
- Goga Bitadze
- Torrey Craig
- Isaiah Jackson
- Caris LeVert
- TJ Warren
LA Clippers (three players)
- Luke Kennard
- Xavier Moon
- Ivica Zubac
Memphis Grizzlies (three players, head coach)
- Taylor Jenkins
- John Konchar
- De’Anthony Melton
- Xavier Tillman
Miami Heat (three players)
- Marcus Garrett
- Udonis Haslem
- Gabe Vincent
Milwaukee Bucks (four players, head coach)
- Grayson Allen
- Mike Budenholzer
- Pat Connaughton
- George Hill
- Jrue Holiday
New Orleans Pelicans (one player)
- Tomas Satorasnky
Oklahoma City Thunder (one player, head coach)
- Isaiah Roby
- Mark Daigneault
Orlando Magic (one player)
- Robin Lopez
Philadelphia 76ers (three players)
- Tyrese Maxey
- Paul Reed
- Jaden Springer
Phoenix Suns (two players)
- Abdel Nader
- Landry Shamet
Portland Trail Blazers
- Norman Powell
Sacramento Kings (one player)
- Richaun Holmes
- Chimezie Metu
San Antonio Spurs (five players)
- Keldon Johnson
- Doug McDermott
- Devin Vassell
- Derrick White
- Thaddeus Young
Toronto Raptors (one player)
- Yuta Watanabe
Utah Jazz (two players)
- Rudy Gobert
- Joe Ingless
Washington Wizards (four players)
- Anthony Gill
- Tremont Waters
- Brad Wanamaker
