NBA gamers in sure markets who select to stay unvaccinated is not going to solely be hurting their groups. They can even be hurting their wallets.
In an announcement launched Wednesday morning, NBA spokesman Mike Bass provided a response to questions on what would occur to gamers who miss video games due to the COVID-19 vaccination necessities in New York and San Francisco. Native tips in these cities will forestall unvaccinated Knicks, Nets and Warriors gamers from getting into their residence arenas for video games. (Visiting gamers will observe totally different protocols.)
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“Any participant who elects to not adjust to native vaccination mandates is not going to be paid for video games that he misses,” Bass mentioned.
Whereas the Knicks are one hundred pc vaccinated heading into the 2021-22 season, the Nets and Warriors have main issues. Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving and Golden State ahead Andrew Wiggins are nonetheless not compliant with these insurance policies, which might price them hundreds of thousands of {dollars} if they do not change their vaccination stances.
Wiggins, who was denied a request for a non secular exemption from vaccination, did not provide many particulars on his choice at media day, saying, “I am simply gonna hold doing what I consider.” Irving additionally did little to clear up the confusion surrounding his availability.
“There’s simply loads of questions on what is going on on on the earth of Kyrie, and I feel I’d simply love to simply hold that non-public and deal with it the correct approach with my staff and go ahead along with a plan,” Irving instructed reporters on a Zoom name. “Clearly I am not in a position to be current there at present, however that does not imply that I am placing any limits on the way forward for me having the ability to be part of the staff.
“I simply wish to hold it that approach, so please respect it, my privateness.”
The Nets will play their first preseason residence sport on Oct. 8, whereas the Warriors will play their preseason residence opener on Oct. 6.
