If they can play, they can play. So, seven is a significant increase. NBA Allows Head Coaches to Go Maskless During Games if They've Been But if you work at it you have a chance.. Therefore, that could threaten both that teams ability to win and the leagues competitive balance. Keep up with the latest news and information about fans at NBA home arenas in the 2021 playoffs. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact On the second day of the season, the Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder game was postponed because the Rockets did not have enough players due to positive infections and contact tracing. Popovich has not been a head coach during scrimmages since he has delegated those duties to assistants Becky Hammon (Friday vs. Milwaukee), Mitch Johnson (Saturday vs. Brooklyn) and Will Hardy (Tuesday vs. Indiana). Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he hopes the move by coaches will further normalize mask-wearing among the public; the Heat. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (71),Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni (69) and Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry (65) are all 65 or older. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. I have immense great trust in what the league is trying to do, Williams said. The biggest change, though, is the masks, a decision made with safety in mind as the coronavirus pandemic rages on and NBA teams prepare to play in arenas again for the first time since last season was suspended on March 11 when Utah center Rudy Gobert tested positive. NBA announces fully vaccinated head coaches can coach without masks. However, Curry may have won that game before ever stepping on the court the usually-quiet Curry fired up the team with a speech before they ever went to Sacramento. Gentry was just as vocal with officials and his players while wearing a mask. With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout underway in the U.S., and the CDC's guidelines updated, the NBA has done the same. That has not always been enough. Will this prompt the other 19 NBA head coaches in the bubble to wear a mask during games, too? We dont know whats going to happen. From Stephen Curry's 50-point wizardry to Kevon Looney's elite rebounding, these 5 things mattered most in Game 7. Back in March, the Blazers, Pelicans, and Hawks announced their players received at least one dose of the vaccine. Per the league's health and safety manual, according to The Athletic's Charania and Sam Amick. Thats why I continued to wear masks during the playoffs, during the finals, even when we were not required to wear them during our media sessions, Spoelstra told The Associated Press. Even with the NBA's frequent testing, coronavirus can infiltrate a team. Its definitely tough. The Suns are offering complimentary tickets to healthcare workers and their families for Sunday's contest against the Boston Celtics. Since Dec. 2, 15 players have tested positivefor COVID-19. I dont know what all goes into the decisions on the safety protocols. General managers meton Monday, and the leagues Board of Governors plan to speak Tuesday. Team staff members that violate the safety protocols could be removed from campus without warning to their team. The NBA informed teams Saturday that head coaches will be permitted to coach without wearing a mask during the playoffs as long as they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Do the Mavericks and Irving settle on three? NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Knicks to only sell semifinals tickets to vaccinated fans, NBA outlines health and safety protocols for 2020-21 season, First-half NBA schedule: List of games for all 30 teams, Things you need to know about the 2020-21 NBA season, NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: May 1, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for May 1. Who was the MVP in each first-round series? The NBA anticipated such scenarios. If youre getting on this bus, youre making a commitment to this team. Are NBA players, coaches comfortable playing season amid rising COVID adidas Promo Code - Up to 50% Off 3-Stripe Favorites, 60% off running shoes and apparel at Nike without a promo code, Check out the new Polo Ralph Lauren x ASOS Exclusive Collection from $99, Save Up to $100 Off military discount - Foot Locker Coupon Code. "As the true MVPs of our community, we want to honour and thank our healthcare heroes for all they have done during these challenging times," Suns president and chief executive officer Jason Rowley said in a statement. At the same time, were not in a bubble anymore., Follow every game: Latest NBA Scores and Schedules. Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as much as was the case during play at the bubble at Walt Disney World this past summer. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. It is the latest effort by the league to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 among players, coaches and staff. Warriors star Stephen Curry sits on the bench during a recent game. And no matter how close Irving might be to James, the Lakers are disinterested in pursuing him in free agency, say league sources, who like all unnamed sources in this article were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. It also released the first half of the seasons schedule through March 4 in case it needed to reschedule postponed games. With Tyler Herro still out with a fractured hand, the Heat are low on shot creators and, without Butler, the task would fall to players not able to do it had a high level anymore (Kyle Lowry) or guys not built to be a No.1 playoff option (Bam Adebayo, Gabe Vincent). Durant is averaging 28.2 points over six games for the Nets, who are off to a 3-4 start. I just feel like its the thing to do right now with where we are as a country.. I do it for my coaches. Heavens to Betsy, this is a must for any fans in the Bay Area. Im doing it because I think its the right thing to do. https://t.co/YkyI58T4wS, Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 3, 2021. Miamis offense would struggle, particularly against a strong Knicks defense. Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as much as was the case during play at the bubble at Walt Disney World this past summer. Torontos effect on the NBAs coronavirus landscape is apparently larger than just two postponed games. Doc Rivers: Joel Embiid shot a bit today after shootaround but still hasnt progressed to running. Then it starts spreading through the group. The league also told teams Monday it has increased the maximum travel party size by one. News Corp is a global, diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content and other products and services. The Philadelphia 76ers played against Denver on Saturday with only seven healthy players after making previously injured forward Mike Scott available on the active roster. And if they see us wearing them all the time and not having a problem with it and understanding the importance of it, hopefully that can normalize it everywhere else.. During Fridays game against the Bucks, Popovich occasionally talked with a player during stoppage time. Even if you do everything perfectly safe, theres hundreds of thousands of people getting it every day.. Co.Protect Supplying Branded Masks To MLS, NBA And WNBA In - Forbes on the bench during games).. Why it matters: Many Americans are still grabbing the most available or comfortable masks, but not necessarily the most effective ones. 202120748H. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. Still, the NBA and its players have no intention with canceling or postponing the season. The NBCA discussed the changes in a call with the league Tuesday night, and some teams will begin traveling for preseason games Thursday. We have confidence in the NBA. Im no good at it., The reason? Obviously were going to make it work to the best of our ability. As the NBA continues to tighten its health and safety protocols to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the league will begin requiring players to wear KN95 or KF94 masks in all instances where required . Teams have also faced stricter practice and game-day routines because of safety protocols. For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. All other staff have to wear masks during team practices. The NBA postponed two Raptors games and the team is returning to action tonight. Youre in this space where you gon fold or you gonna rise up. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel with coronavirus rates falling as the weather warms and vaccination rates rising as supply increases. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. Regarding the updated mask rules, a player who comes out of a game is not required but strongly recommended, the league said to put on a mask after returning to the bench area. We got all the young kids looking at the game they can see that its not really restrictive in any way to have a mask on, Gentry said. Clippers' Lou Williams faces extended quarantine after visiting strip club during excused absence. No. Even when you try to call out a play, theyre calling out plays from the side," Williams said. Durant, Lillard, NBA Twitter react to Curry dropping 50 in Game 7. The NBA's health and safety protocols for the upcoming season include major restrictions for players who are not fully vaccinated. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. It's asign of growing optimism the league can return to where they once were. NBA announces fully vaccinated head coaches can coach without masks Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. According to the health and safety protocols, The NBPA also issued a separate manual to players on Tuesday. I dont have any answers. He was on the ground in pain for a couple of minutes but shot his free throws and stayed in the game, mainly serving as a decoy the rest of the way in the Heats Game 1 win. Its not just a game-night rule. Per the league's health and safety manual, all players, team staff and guests will be required to certify in writing that they will adhere to all pre-arrival rules and league rules while on the Walt Disney World campus. The rules reset at halftime; players who arent in the game to start the third quarter need to wear masks until going into the game. The majority of college basketball coaches in March Madness are wearing the SHEMA97 Functional Active Mask . We got embarrassed the other night, and we never f****** going out like that.'. It was not subtle. The Center and Disease Control (CDC) has recommended people wear masks both to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and to help prevent passing the virus onto others. Players and coaches on the first row of the bench do not have to wear a mask during the game, while coaches and inactive players on the second row of the bench are required to do so. 1 shield. Among the new rules, which take effect Tuesday: players who are dressed for games and eligible to participate must wear a face mask until they enter the game, all players and coaches must wear face masks when outside the team environment if they are around other players and coaches, and players must report the names of any private trainer, therapist, chiropractor or other specialist who they work with outside of the team facility. We have to focus on the next day and getting through this day.. I dont care how many minutes you play, I dont care if you dont play a single second, I dont care if its points, rebounds, whatever it is, but if youre getting on this bus, you are saying, I am going to do whatever it takes as far as my preparation goes, to win this game. Were not going out like that. entertainment, news presenter | 4.8K views, 28 likes, 13 loves, 80 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from GBN Grenada Broadcasting Network: GBN. It was a game where poise and experience in big moments things the Warriors are overflowing with mattered. As Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton cracked, at least they tell you they cant hear you, maybe they can and they just choose to use the mask as a way not to do things.. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The NBA has required players, coaches, staff members and reporters to wear masks and obey social-distancing rules in public settings. Once he did that, you have no choice but to rise up. Thats the toughest thing. NBA health and safety protocols: League recommends coaches wear masks A number of the league's 22 teams have head coaches who are more than 65 years old, making them potentially more vulnerable if they contract COVID-19. Tatum and Brown combined to score Boston's final 16 points. Theyre just going to tighten up some things in terms of testing for people in households and things of that nature, said Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. The league informed teams on Saturday that fully vaccinated head coaches can coach without a mask. Stephen Curry won Game 7 by dropping 50 points on the Kings Sunday. Before the season, it outlined an 158-page health and safety protocols in hopes to account for teams playing in home arenas, flying on private planes and visiting hotels. In the previous five rounds of testing, NBA players had two, zero, one, five and two cases of coronavirus. Although the NBA has eased its guidelines for head coaches, its worth noting some fully vaccinated coaches may still want to wear a mask as their personal preference. It will be interesting to see how each team handles the COVID-19 vaccine, as the Mavericks announced back in Marchthey won't require their players to be inoculated. Coaches are also mandated to wear masks while on the sideline, another. His status for Game 2 on Wednesday is up in the air, but 76ers coach Doc Rivers said Embiid has not run yet on this knee. That tradeoff came with a price. Whenever we have a game scheduled or practice scheduled, I try to be ready to play. dress shirts, pants, socks, and shoes." McCollum, who serves on the executive committee with the NBPA. As coaches have experienced for the past three weeks, the adjustments go beyond their comfort level with wearing a mask throughout games to mitigate risk with the coronavirus. Series preview: What to expect in Warriors-Lakers, 5 takeaways from Warriors' Game 7 victory. Last month, the league made it mandatory practice for dressed and active players to wear . San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich wore masks for games in the bubble this past summer, as did former Houston coach Mike DAntoni and former New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he hopes the move by coaches will further normalize mask-wearing among the public; the Heat. And No. To have a healthy chance of playing an NBA game, the number should be nine, Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. MIAMI (AP) The NBA is adopting a tougher policy regarding masks, telling teams Monday that players on the active roster will have to wear the face coverings in the bench area until they enter games. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Monday's 2-game slate of NBA playoff matchups. LeBron dapped up Irving pregame and it was hard not to remember Irving is a free agent this summer, and there were rumors LeBron had expressed interest in him coming to Los Angeles. NBA bubble: What do teams think of playing in front of virtual fans? You just dont know with ankle sprains, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he hopes the move by coaches will further normalize mask-wearing among the public; the Heat were part of a campaign across Florida last summer, as virus numbers were soaring, to get people to wear masks. SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Mark Medina recently attended the first real basketball action since the league shut down, but what stood out was the hi-tech, creative design of everything off the court. MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. Updated 14:17, 29 APR 2023. The new league mandate, as detailed in a memo sent to coaches Sunday and obtained by The Associated Press, requires "business attire . Kyrie Irving was sitting courtside in Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers Game 6 against the Grizzlies a game that if the Lakers lost likely would mean the end of their season. Depending on a citys policies, teams have mixed restrictions on holding meetings, film sessions or workout sessions at the team hotel. From Stephen Curry's 50-point wizardry to Kevon Looney's elite rebounding, these 5 things mattered most in Game 7. If players are working with trainers or therapists away from the team facility, theyre also being reminded to wear masks and take all possible precautions. As stated in the leagues health and safety protocols, however, players and certain coaches are exempt from wearing a mask during certain circumstances. Suit jackets or sport coats will not be required as was the case in the bubble, when most coaches wore polo shirts and many said they preferred that option. Its the latest update to a plan the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are continuing to evaluate, especially lately given the continued uptick in cases following the holiday season. But if you work at it you have a chance.. The NBCA discussed the changes in a call with the league Tuesday night, and some teams will begin traveling for preseason games Thursday. Gregg Popovich wore the same number of mask styles. Breaking down the Golden State-Los Angeles matchup with 3 things to watch, 1 X-factor and a series prediction. Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. Maybe with the sense these Lakers as constructed with moves at the All-Star break to add size and shooting dont need him. The new league mandate, as detailed in a memo sent to coaches Sunday and obtained by The Associated Press, requires business attire dress shirts, pants, socks, and shoes. Theres no mention of ties, which some coaches have often gone without in recent years, but an exception is made for polo shirts as long as they are NBA-licensed and the head coach and all assistant coaches are wearing the same shirt. NBA: Fully vaccinated head coaches don't have to wear masks - Yardbarker Our staff has worked tirelessly with the NBA and health officials to ensure proper protocols are in place to keep everyone safe.". These Lakers dont plan to pursue Irving this summer, reports Joe Varden at The Athletic. And its ultimate failure, with the team resting starters in the final two games to maximize draft positioning, didnt shake the teams belief in what that duo can be. NBA's coronavirus uptick stems from Raptors coaches' mask issues With the conference semifinals set, let's take a look at the best player in each of the 8 first-round series. You need practice time. I dont even know if well know more by tomorrow. To account for awaiting test results and minimize worries over safety protocols, some teams have canceled shootarounds. https://www.wsj.com/articles/masks-n95-doublemask-covid-nba-super-bowl-11611713115. The device reportedly features an "illness probability score" that would indicate if a player might be at greater risk of contracting coronavirus or has it. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Alas, the athletic pants athleisure is the term the NBA uses must be shelved for game nights this season. After an even first half, Curry and the Warriors pulled away in the third quarter and went on to a comfortable 20-point win. But now, Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, 69, and New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, 65, are also known as the first NBA coaches to wear masks while coaching a game, out of safety . Because of eight, youre taxing guys that play 40 minutes or more. The easy answer is Give us more players, give us more active players. But I think the NBA looks at it as the more people we put into this group, the more likely somebody is going to get (the virus), Walton said. The leagues mask policies will still be in place for assistant coaches, players and other staff. The league informed teams on Saturday that fully vaccinated head coaches can coach without a mask. All head coaches will still be tested daily for. Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as much as was the case during play at. Gregg Popovich wore the same number of mask styles. The former Kia NBA MVP will be sidelined for Brooklyn's game against Utah on Tuesday. Jimmy Butler hurt his ankle with 5:05 to go. .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If youre getting on this bus, youre making a commitment to this team. It was a game where Curry would not let his team lose. 2. Im so tired of adjusting my mask, Williams said following the Suns loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday. Players have gotten coronavirus at significantly higher rates while away from their teams. Buy on FOCO $25. Joel Embiid is officially out for Game 1 Monday night against the Celtics due to his sprained knee. Unsure of his chances for Game 2. For similar reasons, the NBA also postponed the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game on Sunday and two more games scheduled for Tuesday. Inactive players have been required to wear masks for the duration of the game, and that rule remains unchanged. If more restrictions are enacted, coaches fear that could lead to inconsistent performancesand more injuries. Heck, even if not a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan, the design of the face . The Celtics can deliver the clincher Tuesday night when the series returns to Boston for Game 5. He stayed in for the rest of the game to stand in the corner and do nothing as a decoy. But now, Houston Rockets coach Mike DAntoni, 69, and New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, 65, are also known asthe first NBA coaches to wearmasks while coaching a game, out of safety concerns due tothe coronavirus pandemic. pic.twitter.com/AKWqwWHRGq, Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) April 30, 2023. Teams dont want to go past two, Irving obviously will want four. We have an opportunity to play in Game 7 theyre rare, they dont come around. But the problem is how contagious this thing is and the numbers that just keep going up, Walton said. The referees cant tell what Im saying, DAntoni quipped. The leagues oldest active coach has sported two colors of surgical masks, a fabric mask and one of the white KN95 masks that many experts now recommend. And No. It does allow you to play the games. Brown, Tatum score 31 each, Boston beats Hawks for 3-1 lead NBA coaches attire: masks are in, jackets are optional - Tampa Bay Times The NBA players union opted against it partly because of the mental strain with staying away from family for an extended period of time. Its an incredible amount of work to not get COVID. With the series taking a three-day break after Tuesdays Game 2 (Game 3 is Saturday), Miami may sit Butler for Game 2 thinking they can buy a week of rest for the ankle (plus, the Heat already stole a game on the road in Game 1). ESPN and The Athletic first reported Durant would be entering quarantine and missing games. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. The recent 21-point loss bothered Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams. NBA coaches attire: Masks are in, jackets are optional | AP News This limited accommodation is in accordance with guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control, the NBA and Arizona Department of Health Services, the team said.