Fred Katz: Scott Brooks is out of the health and safety protocols and will coach tonight, he says.
More on Coronavirus
Fred Katz: The Wizards have no one in the health and safety protocols anymore, Scott Brooks says. Four players missed practice yesterday because they were in the protocols, as did Brooks.
Shams Charania: Two NBA players tested positive for coronavirus out of 465 tested since March 3, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Keith Smith: Brad Stevens: "Everyone practiced but Romeo (Langford). He's out due to health and safety protocols. He's cleared to play and practice, but he's out due to that." Stevens said Langford would have been able to play tomorrow, if not out due to protocols.
Myles said his father has made a full recovery, and thanked the hospital by donating $50,000 to their COVID-19 response fund. After witnessing what his father went through, Myles was skeptical of entering the NBA bubble in Orlando. But after doing research and getting advice from close friends and family, he committed to the 2020 restart and now the modified 2020-21 season. "We're not going out to restaurants. We're not at clubs, lounges and we're not out with a normal social life. So we take it very seriously," Myles said. "Because you don't want to be that one person that messes it up for everybody."
Jones Sr. was among the first people in Michigan to contract the coronavirus, testing positive on March 25. He was quickly admitted to the hospital and died just a day later. In his honor, Bridges partnered with Josh Jackson of the Detroit Pistons and Terry Armstrong, who played last season in Australia, to sponsor families from the church this past Christmas, giving clothes, toys and shoes. "[Pastor Jones] was really a big inspiration to me because I grew up and I was living [with Jones' family] for a little while -- for like a whole summer I was staying there," Bridges said. "It was just a place for me to get away because he lived in the suburbs and I needed a getaway when I didn't want to be in the hood to go there. They just treated me like family."
Both Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are quarantining for seven days from their last exposure, a Sixers team official said. As long as each continues to test negative for COVID-19, Embiid will be cleared to return once he receives a lab-based PCR negative result on Friday, while Simmons will be cleared Saturday should he meet the same criteria. The Sixers play the Bulls Thursday in Chicago and face the Wizards Friday in Washington, D.C., before playing their first game at Wells Fargo Center with fans in attendance for over a year Sunday against the Spurs.
RJ Marquez: Derrick White and Rudy Gay are no longer listed on the Spurs injury report and should be available for Wed. game at Dallas. Devin Vassell remains out for post heath and safety protocols reconditioning. SA tips off second half of season vs Mavs. #KSATsports #NBA
Shams Charania: 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are required to quarantine until Friday and Saturday, respectively, due to contact tracing, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It rules Embiid out of Thursday game, and Simmons out of Thursday and Friday.
Shams Charania: As long as each continues to test negative, Joel Embiid will be available to play on Friday at Washington and Ben Simmons will be clear to return on Saturday. Both Embiid and Simmons received seven-day quarantines due to exposure to individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
Bob Cousy, who won six NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, is old friends with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the preeminent scientist in the nation's fight against COVID-19. About two hours before getting the news about the vaccine, Cousy had spoken to Fauci on the phone. When asked if Fauci played a part in getting him the vaccine, Cousy was his usual straight-talking, self-effacing self: “Tony is busy saving the freakin’ world every day," Cousy told The Palm Beach Post. "I can’t imagine."
Cousy, who has lived in West Palm Beach for 35 years but this winter remained at his home in Worcester, Mass., said the only time the vaccine came up in their conversation was when Fauci asked if he had received it. Cousy told him he had not but he was not worried about it and his daughter was working on it. “I wasn't concerned but I simply answered his question and that was the extent of it,” Cousy said. “He didn’t say anything further."
“For the last 30 years, on a few occasions when I was being interviewed, sometimes people would say, ‘Who are your heroes?’ ” Cousy said. “I would say Dr. Anthony Fauci and they’d look at me like, ‘what the hell is a Dr. Anthony Fauci?’ Well, now the whole world knows who Dr. Anthony Fauci is."
Brian Windhorst on the All-Star Weekend: A lot of people were talking about 'boy this is a potential super-spreader event, blah, blah...' I don't think so at all. The place NBA was worried about wasn't Atlanta: It was Miami. Last I heard, there were around 150 players who were planning to be in Miami this past weekend. And the reason the NBA knows is because the players had to have a COVID test while there, and they had to sign up for them, so the NBA had an accurate account of how many.
I was told it was in the neighborhood of 150 players in Miami over the weekend. I don't know for sure but I think the testing site was the Heat's facility. They had to give the players a schedule. It was drive-though and they had multiple lanes, and they had to give the players a schedule, like 'come at this time to get your COVID test'.
Adam Silver, N.B.A. commissioner. We were tracking it closely because of our business in China and because we have offices in Shanghai and Beijing, which we closed on Jan. 23. On Jan. 29, the Brooklyn Nets had a Chinese New Year celebration. I ran into Dr. David Ho, a virologist. I remember him saying to me, “It’s a very bad sign that Chinatown in New York is empty because you at least have a portion of the population who knows how bad this is, even if other people aren’t talking about it.”
Silver: I had just left the office, and our general counsel called me. I was on my way home, and he called and said that we’ve just gotten this positive test of Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz. I didn’t say in that sentence, “Shut everything down.” I wanted to hear what the recommendation was of the Oklahoma state health commissioner. I also spoke to Sam Presti, the Thunder president, and Clay Bennett, the Thunder owner, in the next 10 minutes because we all knew the players were taking the floor for the game in Oklahoma City.
Silver: I sat in the car in front of my apartment building for about another 10 minutes, and I made the decision that we were going to cancel that game. One of the officials that was working the New Orleans-Sacramento game had worked one of the Jazz games earlier. As soon as I had a few more minutes to think about what was happening, it then became obvious we needed to cancel that game. Then we put out a notice that we were putting the season on pause until we had additional information. Until that moment, it felt like there would have been an opportunity to deal with a single case on an isolated basis.
Alex Rodriguez, ESPN commentator and a 14-time M.L.B. all-star. We’ve all experienced some pretty terrible things, whether it was 9/11 or a hurricane or something like that, and usually after it happens you shut down for a week or two and then get back to normal life. So I was thinking that was what would happen, here, too. I remember talking to a lot of different people, and we all had one thing in common: We were all completely clueless. No one knew what was going on. I spoke to Jerry Reinsdorf [the owner of baseball’s Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls of the N.B.A.] and he said, “This is going to take a while.” That’s when it hit me: This isn’t something that will be over in a week.
Gary Washburn: NBA spokesman: “All players, coaches, and game officials were tested for COVID 3 times after arriving in ATL, including a final test immediately prior to All-Star Game. Each of those tests returned a negative result, confirming no one on the court for (the) events was infected.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: Players, coaches and officials COVID test results all returned negative from All-Star Game on Sunday, league spokesman tells ESPN. No on-court infections in Atlanta. Everyone was tested three times in Atlanta, including post-game last night.
In all, the Sixers will play five games in the seven-day stretch between March 11 and March 17. Depending on when the clock for Embiid and Simmons’ stints in the health and safety protocol starts, that would put them in real jeopardy of missing the trip against the Bulls and the Wizards. If Embiid and Simmons are out more than a week — either because of a longer-than-anticipated stint in the health and safety protocol, or the far more concerning possibility that they test positive over the next few days — the Sixers’ hectic start to the second half-schedule could leave them woefully short-handed for a decent chunk of games.
Philadelphia 76ers teammates Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons missed the NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, with the league announcing the decision earlier Sunday. The two had contact with a barber who has since tested positive for the coronavirus, sources told ESPN. The barber, located in the Philadelphia area, tested positive after undergoing additional testing on Sunday because of an inconclusive positive test, sources said.
Mark Medina: LeBron James said he has been extremely disciplined with the NBA"s health and safety protocols. But he attributed being able to avoid a positive test & contact tracing so far to "luck." LeBron: "I'm not a COVID ghostbuster or anything like that."
Mark Medina: LeBron James on if he plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it's available for him: "That's a conversation my family and I will have. I'll keep that to a private thing."
Fred Katz: Bradley Beal says he agrees the Wizards shouldn't have fans for now: “My biggest concern is safety…I’m not sitting here and saying I don’t miss the fans. It definitely changes the dynamic of the game…But safety is the biggest concern. And it’s more for them."
Tom Moore: #Sixers coach Doc Rivers: 'I want to really push (the #NBA players to get the COVID vaccine) for the coaches. The sooner they can get the vaccine, the better.'
Gerald Bourguet: Chris Paul on getting vaccinated: "I think all of these situations are personal-type decisions." Says they'll keep talking about it in the NBPA but doesn't see any kind of mandate coming
Ira Winderman: Adam Silver says a vaccinated player likely would not have to quarantine as a close contact, which potentially could significantly reduce such absences. Says no players, to his knowledge, currently vaccinated.
Mark Medina: Adam Silver: "there is no player that I am aware of that has been vaccinated yet." Adam added there have been some coaches and team employees that have been vaccinated because they met the age criteria
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson’s assessment of his bout with the COVID-19 virus is the stuff of a surgeon general’s warning. “I would say it sucked,” Johnson said. Having returned to the court after a 15-day layoff because of the coronavirus and its aftereffects, Johnson is glad to report he is feeling better now. “I am doing amazing,” Johnson said before Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City. “Couldn’t feel any better.”
For Johnson — a 21-year-old coach Gregg Popovich once likened to a “wild mustang” — it meant an even more arduous path through the NBA’s health and safety protocols. “The first day was probably the worst day,” Johnson said. “I felt a little weak, had a little headache. I stayed in bed all day.”
As far as surprises go, Johnson’s selection to the Rising Stars roster was more pleasant than his COVID-19 diagnosis. “We were definitely surprised,” Johnson said. “It just happens. We take so many protocols to avoid COVID, and to have so many players come up with it, it sucked.” Johnson and the other infected players formed a sort of support group during their time in quarantine. “We definitely stayed in touch,” Johnson said. “Everybody called and checked on me and made sure I was all good. We were in each other’s corner.”
Sanford Health will conduct on-site COVID-19 testing of players, coaches and staff for this weekend’s NBA All-Star 2021 events in Atlanta. The event features players from the NBA competing in the Skills Competition, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Game. Sanford Health lab techs will travel to Atlanta in one of the mobile testing units that was used for PGA TOUR testing. Sanford Health estimates it will run between 500-750 tests for the event. The time it takes to collect and process the tests is generally 90 minutes.
Duane Rankin: #Suns injury report vs. Warriors. Cameron Johnson (health and safety protocols) OUT
Heart inflammation is uncommon in pro athletes who’ve had mostly mild COVID-19 and most don’t need to be sidelined, a study conducted by major professional sports leagues suggests.
The results are not definitive, outside experts say, and more independent research is needed. But the study published Thursday in JAMA Cardiology is the largest to examine the potential problem. The coronavirus can cause inflammation in many organs, including the heart.
The research involved professional athletes who play football, hockey, soccer, baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. All tested positive for COVID-19 before October and were given guideline-recommended heart tests, nearly 800 total. None had severe COVID-19 and 40% had few or no symptoms — what might be expected from a group of healthy elite athletes with an average age of 25. Severe COVID-19 is more common in older people and those with chronic health conditions.
Almost 4% had abnormal results on heart tests done after they recovered but subsequent MRI exams found heart inflammation in less than 1% of the athletes. These five athletes all had COVID-19 symptoms. Whether their heart problems were caused by the virus is unknown although the researchers think that is likely. They were sidelined for about three months and returned to play without any problems, said Dr. Mathew Martinez of Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. He’s the study’s lead author and team cardiologist for football’s New York Jets.
Marc Stein: As part of the NBA’s attempts to create a two-day Atlanta bubble, All-Star regulations call for all participants, guests and those granted access to the official league hotel to be checked in by 7 PM Saturday and to stay at the hotel until Sunday's game, sources tell @NYTSports.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Seven new positive NBA COVID tests in the past week, source tells ESPN.
The Detroit Pistons announced plans today to place a limited number of tickets on sale beginning when the club plays the Toronto Raptors on March 17 at Little Caesars Arena. Working under direction of state and local government health professionals and guidelines, up to 750 fans will be allowed to attend upcoming games in this initial phase. Tickets will go on sale Thursday morning, March 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Steve Popper: According to a source, Knicks guard Derrick Rose’s test yesterday was inconclusive, which caused him to miss the San Antonio game for health and safety protocols. He’s had multiple negative test results since and has been cleared to fly home with the team.
Ian Begley: Derrick Rose’s COVID test on Tuesday was inconclusive, source confirms, which is why he was unable to play in NYK’s loss to SAS. Rose has had several negative test results since the inconclusive result, so he’s clear to fly to NY with team, source says. First reported by Newsday
The San Antonio Spurs will begin welcoming back some fans to games March 12, meaning half of the NBA now has a plan in place to allow limited attendance a year and a day after it shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. A 16th team, the Boston Celtics, have a plan to welcome back fans March 22. The Spurs' reduced capacity at the AT&T Center will be at 3,200 fans to allow for proper social distancing, the team said Monday.
Michael Singer: Facu Campazzo has been added to the Nuggets' injury report as doubtful due to contact tracing, source tells @denverpost. The Nuggets can appeal this decision, but it's likely he'll be out for tonight vs. Chicago. Will likely join RJ Hampton and Markus Howard as out.
Michael Singer: The #Nuggets are still awaiting the results from their contact tracing, I'm told. As of now, only Markus Howard (contact tracing) and R.J. Hampton (health and safety) are out.
Kyle Neubeck: According to sources familiar with the situation, lifting of state event restrictions by Governor Wolf today does not yet mean fans at WFC. Sixers still need the city to follow suit, but if/when they do, fans could *potentially* be back following the All Star break.
State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has implemented the latest in drone technology as a part of the venue’s cleaning and disinfecting protocols. The award-winning arena has enlisted Lucid Drone Technologies, a cutting-edge drone company based out of Charlotte, NC and its D1 Disinfecting Drone (D1) to help in sanitizing the 17,500 seat venue between events, a first for any NBA arena.
Jim Owczarski: #Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said he did test positive for COVID-19 & he was symptomatic. Fatigue & the loss of taste & smell were not fun to go through. He also thought he was done for the game when he came out with a few minutes left & was thankful he was able to finish it out.
Knicks fans desperate to get back to Madison Square Garden are ponying up $250 for last-minute COVID tests before tip off, in order to meet new state testing rules for large venues. Under the regulations that went into effect Feb. 23, venues with more than 10,000 people can operate at 10 percent capacity — as long as every guest has passed a COVID test within 72 hours of tipoff.
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: After missing 10 consecutive games in the league's health and safety protocol, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is likely to return to the lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Eric Nehm: Jrue Holiday practiced today, but Mike Budenholzer thinks he'll be listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Clippers.
“Please be careful stepping out of the house every single day,” said Towns. “Follow all the protocols and rules and advice that Dr. Fauci, who’s the best of the best in the world at this…take his advice and understand that it’s coming from a place of wellbeing for everyone in this country.”
54% of Americans think it would be a good idea to give NBA players early access to the COVID-19 vaccine in order to increase public confidence in it, according to a survey administered last week by The Harris Poll.
Jason Jones: Kings are also without Jabari Parker along with Hassan Whiteside (health and safety protocols) at the Knicks tonight. Luke Walton said all prep for tonight was done via Zoom once there was word there was a positive COVID test, they got the list of players not available last night
We are excited that Governor Cooper has granted the opportunity for fans to begin returning to indoor arenas and entertainment venues. We have remained in contact with state and county officials, as well as the NBA, throughout the last year and are preparing a plan that we believe will allow fans to safely return to Spectrum Center in the near future. With the health of our guests, players and staff as our top priority, we have implemented a variety of upgrades to ensure that Spectrum Center is as safe as possible, including increased levels of air filtration and purification, as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
Tom Orsborn: Pop said no timetable for the return of the players in protocols: "Each one is a little bit different. It depends on the testing they do. So, I think a few more days, the quarantine period ends, but then there are a couple more days of more tests to see how it has affected them."
Michael C. Wright: Pop on the Spurs’ situation w/COVID-19 protocols: “We’re doing well, just moving on. Tough break for us, but not near as difficult as [what] many, many, many here in the state of Texas have had to endure. That’s for sure. So, we can’t complain.”
Jim Owczarski: #Bucks guard Jrue Holiday remains in the league's health and safety protocol and did not practice today. He is progressing through that protocol.
Keith Pompey: #Sixers’ Julius Erving with his COVID-19 Vaccine PSA youtu.be/BduFxXmReSA via @YouTube
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder tested negative for COVID-19, but he will be out at least a week because of potential exposure to the virus through contact tracing, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Saturday the team has a "more firm timeline" on Schroder, who will be sidelined an additional three games after being a late scratch in Thursday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets because of the league's health and safety protocols. He missed Saturday's 96-94 loss to the Miami Heat and will also be out Monday versus the Washington Wizards and Wednesday at the Utah Jazz.
Barclays Center is the first major North American sports venue to package COVID-19 testing as part of its ticket price. Fans will be offered the chance to take a test mailed to them far enough in advance to get a green light to attend games, and then given a rapid test to confirm their negative COVID status before entering the building, with results coming in six minutes.
The Sixers, Flyers, and Wells Fargo Center officials recently sent the city a proposal to have 5,000 fans in attendance for games beginning some time next month, according to sources. One of the sources said the Sixers would be satisfied with a limit of 2,500. Before Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets, the Sixers had played in front of only media members and team officials.
Embiid said it would be “a different story in Philadelphia. They care, and they are going to come to games and they are going to boo you. They are going to show up for you. But at the end of the day, it’s all love.” More than a dozen NBA teams are currently allowing fans in the stands. The Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Orlando Magic have the largest allowable crowds at up to 4,000 per game.
Brian Robb: Jayson Tatum says he's talked to other athletes who have dealt with similar lingering effects as him after having COVID-19 after he spoke up about it earlier this week.
Marc J. Spears: Ex-Warriors center Festus Ezeli is in quarantine in the G League Bubble and will be out Sunday, a source told @TheUndefeated. He is a part of the @nbagleague player pool making him eligible to be picked up by any team . He hasn’t played since 2016 NBA Finals due to knee injuries.
