As of yesterday, 48 NBA 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 Nov. 24-30 during the initial phase of testing after returning to team markets. That means about 9% of the tests were positive.
All players with a confirmed positive test will be isolated until cleared by the rules established by the league and union in accordance with CDC guidance. The league’s health and safety protocols for this 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.”
On Tuesday, Dallas All-Star Luka Doncic said, “During this pandemic, all this stuff is going to be different this season.” He added, “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.”
In order for players to be cleared to start individual workouts, they need three negative PCR tests between Nov. 24-30. A handful of teams are expected to be cleared to start group sessions or 5-on-5 practices Friday, most others on Sunday, and Golden State on Monday.
Players with a confirmed positive test will also need to successfully complete a cardiac exam before being able to return to play. There is a possibility that some of the 48 positive players will not be cleared before the NBA’s preseason schedule, which starts on Dec. 11. The regular season begins on Dec. 22.
Prior to the Warriors revealing that two of their players had a positive test, Golden State coach Steve Kerr 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?” He said, “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.”
The NBA had no players test positive once they entered the bubble at Walt Disney World for the season restart near Orlando, Florida last July. A very small number of individuals tested positive after arriving at Disney, but before they were released from quarantine and into the bubble, a sign that the NBA pointed to as proof that its system worked.
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