With player availability low during the current COVID-19 wave, the NBA is in talks with the NBA Players’ Association about reducing quarantine time for players who test positive for the virus, The Athletic reported Thursday.
The intention is to cycle players through quarantine in as fast as six days “based on testing cycle threshold,” according to the report.
Teams including the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have been hit hard this month with players in COVID-19 health and safety protocols. More than 100 players reportedly have been affected this month alone.
Although the league has been forced to postpone some games this month, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said this week that the NBA plans to push through the current COVID-19 surge.
“We’ve of course looked at all the options. But frankly, we’re having trouble coming up with what the logic would be behind pausing right now,” Silver said on “NBA Today” on ESPN. “This virus will not be eradicated. And we’re going to have to learn to live with it.”
The NBA reportedly has a 97 percent vaccination rate with more than 65 percent of players having received booster shots. The league is also doing what it can in other areas, saying this week that media and personnel functioning in near proximity of teams will have to receive booster shots by Jan. 5.
The NBA has five scheduled games for its showcase day on Christmas, with the league set to shift its schedule and prioritize three game windows — 2:30, 5 and 8 p.m. ET — if any games that day must be called off.
–Field Level Media