The 2021-22 NBA season is being bombarded with the newest COVID-19 variant causing mayhem within multiple teams that have been forced to cancel practices, postpone games and sign emergency hardship exemptions while outbreaks are navigated among several organizations.
Update: On Tuesday, League commissioner Adam Silver announced in an interview with Malika Andrews that the NBA would not be pausing the season for the second season since the 2019-2020 season. Silver also said that the Omricon is ‘beyond dominate’ while constituting 90 percent of positive tests.
REPORT: Per League insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA, and the players union have reached an agreement to lessen the quarantine period for COVID-positive players. Players that tested positive for COVID-19 can clear protocols after five days if their “CT values” are above 30.
As of Friday, 260 players total have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols this season, including 247 in December alone. Nine head coaches have also entered protocols in December, and 11 games have been postponed.
If a team has three positive results, two replacement signings are required. For four or more positive tests, three replacement players will be required. Two-way players will reportedly also have no limit to the number of games they can appear in as well. If a team has 13 players available for a game they do not have to sign any players to a hardship exemption.
A game will only be postponed if a team doesn’t have at least eight players available to play. A tactic the NBA frequently utilized last year when officials postponed 31 games. The League has decided to postpone nine games in total.
Below is the list of players and coaches currently in the League’s health and safety protocols.
Atlanta Hawks (five players, head coach)
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- John Collins
- Gorgui Dieng
- Malik Ellison
- Jalen Johnson
- Nate McMillan
Boston Celtics (two players)
- Enes Kanter Freedom
- Payton Pritchard
Charlotte Hornets (two players)
- Vernon Carey Jr.
- Scottie Lewis
- PJ Washington
Chicago Bulls (two players, head coach)
- Tony Bradley
- Billy Donovan
- Marko Simonovic
Cleveland Cavaliers (two players)
Dallas Mavericks (five players)
- Trey Burke
- JaQuori McLaughlin
- Boban Marjanovic
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Isaiah Thomas
Denver Nuggets (four players, head coach)
- Jeff Green
- Bones Hyland
- Monte Morris
- Michael Malone
- Zeke Nnaji
Detroit Pistons (two players)
- Cory Joseph
- Isaiah Stewart
Houston Rockets (two players)
- Armoni Brooks
- DeJon Jarreau
Indiana Pacers (eight players)
- Malcolm Brogdon
- Chris Duarte
- Isaiah Jackson
- Jeremy Lamb
- Kelan Martin
- Caris LeVert
- TJ Warren
- Goga Bitadze
LA Clippers (three players, head coach)
- Brandon Boston Jr.
- Luke Kennard
- Tyronn Lue
- Ivica Zubac
Memphis Grizzlies (six players)
- Kyle Anderson
- Dillon Brooks
- Shaq Buchanan
- John Konchar
- De’Anthony Melton
- Xavier Tillman
Miami Heat (five players)
- Marcus Garrett
- Udonis Haslem
- Duncan Robinson
- P.J. Tucker
- Gabe Vincent
Milwaukee Bucks (two players, head coach)
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo
- Mike Budenholzer
- Semi Ojeleye
Minnesota Timberwolves (two players)
- D’Angelo Russell
- Karl-Anthony Towns
New Orleans Pelicans (one player)
New York Knicks (four players)
- Nerlens Noel
- Mitchell Robinson
- Wayne Selden
- Jericho Sims
Oklahoma City Thunder (four players, head coach)
- Darius Bazley
- Mark Daigneault
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
- Aaron Wiggins
Orlando Magic (three players)
- Markelle Fultz
- Robin Lopez
- Chuma Okeke
Philadelphia 76ers (two players, head coach)
- Myles Powell
- Jaden Springer
- Doc Rivers
Phoenix Suns (four players)
- Deandre Ayton
- Jae Crowder
- JaVale McGee
- Abdel Nader
Portland Trail Blazers (four players, head coach)
- Chauncey Billups
- Cameron McGriff
- Jusuf Nurkic
- Brandon Williams
- Cody Zeller
Sacramento Kings (one player)
San Antonio Spurs (three players)
- Devontae Cacok
- Doug McDermott
- Lonnie Walker
Toronto Raptors (two players)
- Svi Mykhailiuk
- Yuta Watanabe
Washington Wizards (eight players)
- Thomas Bryant
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Anthony Gill
- Rui Hachimura
- Montrezl Harrell
- Aaron Holiday
- Raul Neto
- Brad Wanamaker