Chris Haynes: Memphis Grizzlies say center Jonas Valanciunas will not return for the second half of tonight’s game against Brooklyn Nets game due to health and safety protocols.
More on Coronavirus
Kevin Durant is expected to play against the Thunder after missing three games due to the league’s coronavirus health and safety protocol. Durant came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 1 and the league requires players quarantine and register consecutive negative coronavirus tests for seven days from the day of the encounter.
Shams Charania: Jonas Valanciunas leaving tonight’s game is not due to a positive coronavirus test, per team source.
Drew Hill: No positive test for JV, team sources say, which could mean it's a contact tracing issue. Wouldn't make sense for him to play if he tested positive, but the issues last night prove otherwise, I suppose.
Marc Stein: The Sixers, I'm told, are still in New York after a day of contract tracing and waiting for coronavirus testing results They are scheduled to play Denver at home tomorrow in a 3 PM matinee
Rich Hoffman: The rule is that you need eight players in uniform. For now, Sixers only seem to have: Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, Dakota Mathias, Dwight Howard, and Tony Bradley. Going to need at least two of the players listed as questionable to suit up to avoid a postponement.
Marc Stein: The Mavericks have listed Josh Richardson, Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith as out for Saturday's home game against Orlando due to the league's health and safety protocols
Mirjam Swanson: Kerr on any COVID-related logistical issues the Warriors have faced: "Knock on wood, we have not had any issues since training camp, we are constantly reminding everyone on our team and our staff to continue to be smart."
Shams Charania: 76ers’ players currently listed questionable for Saturday vs. Denver due to health and safety protocols: Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Danny Green, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Vincent Poirier, Paul Reed
Seth Curry, held out of Thursday’s game with an ankle injury, was removed from the Sixers’ bench and placed in isolation after being notified of the positive test during the first half, according to two people familiar with the circumstances who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details publicly.
“An initial positive test received during a game, when a player has already tested negative that day, results in the player’s immediate removal but does not trigger the cancellation of a game,” said David Weiss, the league’s senior vice president for player matters.
Weiss added: “The testing strategy we have implemented of two daily P.C.R. tests creates a process that aims to identify an infected individual before they become infectious to others. Combined with our data that analyzes contact time and distance during on-court play, our experts believe that the game can safely proceed in these circumstances.”
Michael Singer: League source: If a player was positive and played in a game, it doesn't necessarily mean both teams' next games would be impacted. I.e., If a player was positive in last night's Nuggets-Mavs game, that doesn't automatically mean Denver's next game (@ PHI) would be affected.
Malika Andrews: Steve Nash said the Nets weren’t aware during Thursday’s game against Philadelphia of Seth Curry’s positive test. They found out later. Curry sat on the bench for the first quarter of the game before the positive test result returned.
Kendra Andrews: Despite positive covid tests on the Mavericks (who the Nuggets played yesterday) and the 76ers (who the Nuggets are scheduled to play tomorrow) Denver is fully expecting to play tomorrow and hasn’t been told anything contrary to that, according to league sources
Tim Bontemps: Scott Brooks, like Brad Stevens, said the Wizards are just trying to follow all of the rules are being given to them as far as how to handle COVID-19. The Wizards played the Sixers and Seth Curry Wednesday. Curry, who scored 28 points in that game, tested positive yesterday.
Gary Washburn: Scott Brooks said the #Wizards definitely don't have to worry about contracting COVID from #76ers guard Seth Curry. "We weren't within six feet of him." Curry scored 28 points on 11-for-14 FG in their Jan. 6 meeting.
Harrison Wind: Source: All Nuggets players who played last night and traveled to Philadelphia this morning returned negative rapid coronavirus tests before boarding the team's flight. Protocol is for players/staff to rapid test before flights, just like before practices.
Tim Bontemps: Brad Stevens says he fully trusts the NBA in terms of how it is handling COVID-19. "The reality is we know this is rampant right now. We are doing everything we can to prevent it, and it's still going to find its way into the league and the travel parties."
Shams Charania: Sources: Prior to flight from Denver to Dallas today, the Mavericks learned of a positive coronavirus test for a player and two additional players who are expected to quarantine for seven days due to contact tracing. The three players remained in Denver.
Shams Charania: The two Mavericks players who were exposed to COVID-19 have tested negative and are expected to remain so, sources said. Dallas flew home today and faces Orlando at home on Saturday.
Tom Orsborn: Drew Eubanks remains out in accordance with NBA health and safety protocols, according to #Spurs injury report. Pop indicated yesterday that Eubanks and two other members of the travel party had been given COVID-19 tests. It's unclear if they remained in L.A. for quarantine.
Fred Katz: As of now, there are no indications that the Wizards/Celtics game will be impacted tonight. It remains scheduled as is, 7:30pm ET start time. Three Celtics are out and in health and safety protocol. The Wizards played the 76ers on Wednesday. Philly had positive test last night.
Jared Weiss: Celtics say Tristan Thompson, Rob Williams and Grant Williams are out due to COVID protocols for a game tonight against a Wizards team that just faced Seth Curry, who tested positive yesterday. This game should be postponed.
Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, Robert Williams was the lone Celtics player to test positive for COVID-19 and has been asymptomatic. Tristan Thompson and Grant Williams are out for contact tracing.
Brian Robb: Celtics PR just announced that Carsen Edwards will be available for tonight's game so it appears he will not face a seven-day quarantine.
Shams Charania: The Boston Celtics have four players — Robert Williams, Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Carsen Edwards — all facing a minimum seven-day quarantine due to health and safety protocols, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
The Philadelphia 76ers are quarantining in New York because of a positive COVID-19 test for guard Seth Curry. A person familiar with the situation says the Sixers stayed overnight after the team learned of Curry's positive result during Thursday's loss against the Nets. The person spoke to The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the team has not made Curry's condition public. The person said as of Friday morning Curry was the only positive test on the Sixers.
Starting Thursday, the NBA will require players, coaches and staff members to wear Kinexon SafeZone contact tracing sensors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, league sources confirmed to The Arizona Republic. ESPN first reported the news last week after obtaining memos from the league. “There’s certain things you have to do to stay in the league,” Williams said. “You got to work hard. Study. Game film. This is one more thing that we have to do to keep our livelihood, business and what we love to do in place.”
Jovan Buha: Alex Caruso says he never tested positive for COVID-19, but rather was in the league’s health & safety protocols because of contact tracing with someone he had seen after Christmas.
Shams Charania: Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is facing a minimum of 10 additional quarantine days due to health and safety protocols, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Dave McMenamin: Spurs asst Becky Hammon, who recently made history against the Lakers - becoming the first woman to serve as head coach during a regular season NBA game - is not with the team tonight. Gregg Popovich said pregame that one player and two staff members were in the safety protocol
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sixers guard Seth Curry returned a positive test for the coronavirus, which the team learned of near the start of a loss in Brooklyn tonight, sources tell ESPN. He went to an isolation room immediately, and thereafter left arena separate from team.
Ramona Shelburne: Curry was wearing a mask while he was on the bench, in accordance with NBA health and safety protocols. He wasn’t playing in the game due to left ankle soreness.
Keith Pompey: Back at their hotel, the #Sixers will test tomorrow morning , according to league sources.
Ramona Shelburne: The Sixers will stay over in New York and do their daily testing tomorrow. It’s unclear how long they’ll have to stay over.
Ramona Shelburne: Sixers All Star center Joel Embiid, who has a three-month-old-son, told ESPN he plans to self quarantine from his family until he is certain he didn’t contract the virus. Embiid sat next to Curry during the game.
Evan Fournier: I got my own tracking device now lol. pic.twitter.com/RpqVgvuHrY
Michele Roberts knows calls are coming about the COVID-19 vaccines, calls about the NBA players she represents, calls from those very players and even calls about herself, a 64-year-old Black woman who could very well have the option to take the vaccine.
Even if the questions are the same, the answers may not be. The National Basketball Players Association executive director has been doing her own research on the viability of the vaccines, weighing whether she will take it. But whether she takes it doesn’t give a definitive indication on what her recommendation to the players will be — a reasonable complication of a very layered, complex and downright scary situation.
“I got some very close friends. And really smart people have said to me, ‘Michele, it’s a no-brainer, of course, you’ll take the vaccine,’” Roberts said in a recent phone conversation with Yahoo Sports. “Unlike my players, I’m considerably older than they are and probably further up on the list. “But I haven’t made up my mind. I’m eager to be convinced that these are safe. I’m hopeful I’ll be convinced that they’re safe. But I’m not a cheerleader … I’m not at a place yet where I would wholeheartedly and fulsomely say, absolutely, you have to take it.”
The NBA, according to league sources, is very sensitive to being accused of taking advantage and giving its players the vaccine ahead of frontline workers, the vulnerable and the elderly. “We won’t jump the line” is a familiar refrain stated by commissioner Adam Silver. But given the sporadic distribution and seemingly passive response by the current administration, there’s no rhyme or reason to “the line” after the obvious people who will receive it.
“The sad fact, health care in our communities has never been anything other than subpar,” Roberts said, mentioning Tuskegee. “Our community’s suspicions about the bona fide ease of treatment that’s offered to us as well, let’s face it, Black pregnant women have an exponentially greater possibility of dying in childbirth, than their white counterparts, solely because of the quality of care that they receive. So you know, the African American players in the NBA are members of the African American community, that to the extent our community has certain sensitivities, not surprisingly, our players are going to have those sensitivities.”
The league has answered questions on myriad topics with the players, ranging from players who’ve caught the virus already and are unsure of taking the vaccine, to the function of the antibodies with the vaccine. It can suggest but not demand players take it — which may or may not be reflective of what’s to come nationally. “So ... if I don’t see a national requirement, a federal requirement — [President-elect] Biden’s often said that he’s not prepared to go down that road,” Roberts said. “But I think that there are going to be enough pockets of industry, where you will see [pseudo]-requirements. I think that some private employers might be able to do it.”
Michael Singer: Michael Porter Jr. is out vs. Mavs. A league source said this is not an extension of his prior close-contact protocol which began last Thursday and ended Wednesday night. denverpost.com/2021/01/07/mic…
Marc Stein: Kinexon sensors record proximity and duration when people wearing the sensors interact but do not track location or an individual’s movement. The device was mandatory in the Disney World bubble for team and league staff members (and reporters) but was optional for players there.
Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner When we hit 60 percent vaccine penetration, hopefully by April, the snapback for the NBA and live events will be like nothing we have ever seen. People will be so ready to go out and have fun at NBA games, at concerts and more. The NBA has a unique opportunity, as the sport in season then to really benefit as a brand and financially. Nothing will be more fun than a packed NBA game and a concert after the game. It’s going to be fun.
Mike Vorkunov: Knicks head trainer talked to NYK about COVID protocols today. Thibs: "Safety has to come first. Whatever they ask us to do we're going to be diligent...following the protocols. But like everyone else in the country we're very concerned about everything that's going on right now"
Austin Carr: Hello Cleveland it’s Game Time, I will not be on the Cavs Broadcast tonight because Iam following COVID exposure protocols. Iam feeling fine and will be watching from home, tonight.Stay safe and GoCavs!!!!!
Nuggets small forward Michael Porter Jr.’s quarantine will end tonight, a league source told The Denver Post, and he’ll be available to play in Thursday night’s game against the Mavericks. Porter’s quarantine, which came as a result of contact tracing via the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols, began last Thursday, the source said. His seven-day protocol ends Wednesday night.
After Tuesday morning shootaround, Temple, who weeks ago said his positive test likely derived from a Thanksgiving family gathering and that he experienced symptoms, preached an abundance of caution. "Definitely concerns, especially after what we went through in Washington (D.C.)," Temple said of staying safe while traveling.
Temple's approach, and advice to his teammates, is to focus on the granular. "You can't tell a grown man what to do, obviously. But, for example, getting on the bus, me and Denzel (Valentine) were getting on the bus, and I was like 'Let me get some of this hand sanitizer while I'm walking into the bus.' Denzel was like, 'You right, let me get some too,'" Temple said. "Just doing things like that, going and washing your hands before shootaround, which everybody should be doing anyway. After shootaround, eat your food, things like that that you just do to make sure, to show people because it's just a new world out here. And be conscious about the things that you're doing to try to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Ian Begley: BKN coach Steve Nash says the length of Kevin Durant's quarantine is a 'moving target' based on several factors, including testing. He said some of the factors may be 'debatable' or 'in flux' so he isn't sure exactly how long Durant will be quarantining.
Beyond the financial impact — halftime entertainers typically make $1,500 to $5,000 a show — the effects of the pandemic have been felt within their community. David Maas, who had a popular act called Quick Change with his wife, Dania Kaseeva, died of Covid-19 in November. “My heart goes out to all my friends who are in this business,” said Jon Terry, a booking agent for halftime performers who is based in Oklahoma. “These are creative people, and in many cases, it’s their sole income. Some of these guys were making six-figure incomes, and you drop that out and there’s no place for them to do anything else.”
At the time, the couple had a long list of N.B.A. halftimes lined up for the rest of the season. They were also planning to bounce among festivals and circuses during the summer months in their 43-foot recreation vehicle, sometimes performing two or three times a day. On average, they do about 400 shows a year. Since March, the couple has performed exactly four times. Their return after a six-month hiatus came in September at the Juniata County Fair in Port Royal, Pa. They both cried. “I forgot what it was like to be in front of an audience,” Arestov said.
Shams Charania: Sources: The NBA has informed its 30 teams of updated rules: — Starting Tuesday, all active players who are dressed to play must wear face mask until they enter the game — All players, coaches and staffers in Tiers 1/2 must wear a mask when outside team setting and indoor
Shams Charania: After exiting court, active players are strongly recommended to wear mask in bench area. The requirement resets at halftime (wear mask at start of second half until they enter the game). Inactive players remain required to wear mask for entire game.
As long as Durant continues to test negative for the coronavirus, the soonest he can return comes against the Denver Nuggets on January 12. Durant, who had COVID-19 in May, has continued to register coronavirus antibodies and tested negative for the virus three times in recent days, sources said.
Shams Charania: Nets star Kevin Durant is expected to require seven days of quarantine before returning to action due to contact tracing/exposure to COVID-19, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Brian Lewis: While the #Nets have been hard-hit by COVID-19, it’s important to note that Kevin Durant missing the #Jazz game isn’t due to having coronavirus. This is simply a contact tracing issue, according to a league source. #NBA
Adrian Wojnarowski: Players can have family members and those living in close contact regularly tested, and once someone tests positive for the virus, the player's placed in quarantine. Durant's passed three tests, sources say, but rules don't distinguish between those who've had virus and have not.
Shams Charania: Nets star Kevin Durant is listed out Tuesday vs. Utah due to NBA's coronavirus health and safety protocols.
Beyond the financial impact — halftime entertainers typically make $1,500 to $5,000 a show — the effects of the pandemic have been felt within their community. David Maas, who had a popular act called Quick Change with his wife, Dania Kaseeva, died of Covid-19 in November.
Jonathan Feigen: Ben McLemore, cleared from his self-isolation period, takes a seat for a media Zoom call with "I'm baaaaaaaack." Asked if he had symptoms, he said, "I'm healthy. I'm excited."
Eight members of the Clippers’ support staff had to drive vans back to Los Angeles from Utah over the weekend. Why? Because one of them tested positive for COVID-19, and contract tracing found that the other seven all dined No. 8 in a suite at the team hotel on New Year’s Eve. Mask wearing in the room was occasional. ESPN first reported the incident. A Clippers source said there were no league protocol violations but called the situation “unfortunate.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Several members of Clippers support staff are quarantined in Salt Lake City after a positive coronavirus test. Contact tracing led back to eight people attending a New Year’s Eve meal at a presidential suite in the team hotel with intermittent mask-wearing.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Quarantined group includes no players, no coaches and no team management, sources tell ESPN.
Mirjam Swanson: Confirming ESPN, per source: Under the league’s new COVID-19 health and safety protocols, a number of the Clippers’ staffers are in quarantine — they have sufficient support with the team for tonight’s game in Phoenix.
Anthony Chiang: Heat guard Avery Bradley wasn't at practice today because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. He has not yet been ruled out for tomorrow's game vs. OKC, though.
Brad Townsend: Bulls are dealing with COVID issue. Four players out tonight due to "health and safety protocols": Markkanen, Arcidiacono, Hutchison, Satoransky.
Harrison Wind: Michael Porter Jr. (contact tracing) and Greg Whittington (left knee sprain) remain out for Denver today in Minnesota. Towns, Okogie, Nowell out for Timberwolves.
Luis Scola tested positive for coronavirus according to Argentinian website Clarin. The veteran former All-EuroLeague forward and captain of the Argentinian national team is reported to be among the 12 members of Varese that tested positive for COVID-19, as the club announced Saturday (2/1).
Ohm Youngmisuk: Michael Malone says "hopefully we can learn from it" with Michael Porter Jr. being out due to health and safety protocols. "This is real. COVID is real... unfortunate but this is the current situation we are in."
Rob Schaefer: Billy Donovan also revealed that the Bulls were without four coaches when they played the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 26. Health and safety protocols-related
Rob Schaefer: Chandler Hutchison tested positive for COVID-19, per Bulls coach Billy Donovan. He’s still in DC. Markkanen, Satoransky and Arcidiacono are in Chicago
Shams Charania: Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. is missing tonight’s game vs. Phoenix and could be out a number of days, due to health and safety protocols (contact tracing), sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Michael Singer: Confirmed that Michael Porter Jr. won't be available for tonight's game due to health and safety contact tracing protocols, as @Shams Charania reported. I'm told the team's expectation is that he'll be out multiple games.
But during Thursday’s practice in San Francisco, where the Blazers will play Golden State on Friday, there was significance to the feat, because of what Little has gone through this month. On Dec. 1, as part of the NBA’s testing of players and staff, Little learned that he had contracted COVID-19. It wasn’t until Dec. 22 that Little recorded his first negative test and was able to rejoin the team. In between, he experienced three weeks of hell.
“For me, I was on the worst part of the spectrum, the hard end of the disease,” Little said. “I didn’t have to go to the hospital or be on a ventilator, but I went through it bad. It hit me really bad. For about seven to 10 days, I was just really miserable.”
Although he is back around his teammates, Little is far from returning to a game. The virus ravaged his body. He lost 20 pounds. And his conditioning and strength are nowhere near where he needs to be to compete against NBA players. His battle with COVID-19 is another chapter in a bizarre and trying first season with the Blazers, when it seemed like every time the first-round pick was turning a corner, he was thwarted by a fluke circumstance.
