BEVERLY HILLS, December 03, (THEWILL) – The National Basketball Association (NBA) said on Wednesday that 48 players have tested positive for the coronavirus since testing resumed last week.
According to the league and National Basketball Players Association, 546 players were tested between Tuesday, November 24 and Monday, November 30 in the initial phase of testing after returning to team markets. By implication, about 9% of the tests were positive.
Every player confirmed positive is isolated until cleared by rules established by the league and union, in accordance with CDC guidance. Health and safety protocols for this COVID-19 season say that anyone with a positive test in this pre-camp phase “must receive medical clearance from a team-designated physician and a league-designated physician prior to entering a team facility, participating in in-person team-organized activities, or interacting in-person with other” members of their team.
In its pre-season guidance to teams, which was sent late last week, the league made it abundantly clear that it was to be expected that some players will test positive.
“During this pandemic, all this stuff is going to be different this season,” Dallas All-Star Luka Doncic said Tuesday. “Some players might get corona, get sick, not be able to be with the team for 10 days. So, I think that’s going to be a big part — which team is not going to have positive people. It’s going to be a lot of time together. I think that’s going to be key.”
To be cleared to commence individual workouts, each player needs to have obtained three negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests between those November dates, which will last throughout this week. A select few teams are expected to be cleared to start group sessions or 5-on-5 practices by Friday. Most others will begin on Sunday and Golden State will on Monday.
Furthermore, a successfully completed cardiac exam will be required of anyone with a confirmed positive test before the player will be allowed to return to play. There is a high probability that some of the 48 positive players would not have been officially cleared before the NBA’s pre-season schedule starts on Friday, December 11. The regular season begins on Tuesday, December 22.
Two Golden State Warriors players had positive tests. Steve Kerr, Golden State coach, before revealing that to the public, said: “I’m confident that the league is going to do everything in their power to do things the right way and to protect us, protect the players and the staffs. Then, who the hell knows? I mean, it’s 2020. I think we just have to go into it with an open mind and do our best and see what happens.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
