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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the NBA is looking to stem the tide of positive coronavirus cases by limiting social interactions on the court, including physical touching between both rivals and teammates.
Sources: NBA and NBPA working through a minimum two-week window of protocol tightening that includes:
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2021
*No hugging or interaction of rival players on court pre and post-game.
*Reducing social interactions during games, including tapping hands during free throws.
The league also plans to regulate players’ possible outside contacts as well.
On road, players and staff can’t leave hotel -- except for team activities or emergencies, sources tell ESPN. No more list of approved restaurants. https://t.co/fU7QnElnBq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2021
He also announced that the league plans to crack down on maskwearing on the bench by both coaches and players.
The news come on the heels of the postponement of multiple games around the league. The Miami Heat were supposed to play the Boston Celtics on Sunday, but the Heat did not have the requisite eight players available. On Monday, the NBA announced that the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans would not play, and the matchup of the Celtics and Chicago Bulls on Tuesday was also postponed. The league announced this morning that the game between the Celtics and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday has been postponed as well. Multiple teams are struggling to have enough players to suit up.
The NBA has scheduled an emergency meeting of its Board of Governors for Tuesday.