NBA, players body agree to ramp up virus testing, tighten rules

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have reached an agreement to increase COVID-19 testing to curb a growing new wave of infections.

“The league will increase daily testing and face mask use for players and staff through the holiday season, according to a memo obtained by ESPN,” read a Friday report by NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Citing the memo, the report said the NBA and NBPA have agreed to boost testing for two weeks starting Dec. 26, with players and staff to be tested on game days, except for anyone who has taken a booster shot 14-plus days earlier or recently recovered from COVID-19.

“Players and staff will be required to wear masks on the benches, in the teams’ workout facilities and while traveling with the team, the memo said,” the report added.

- Virus blow for Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guards Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley have entered the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, Wojnarowski said late Thursday.

Along with Dwight Howard and Talen Horton-Tucker, the Lakers now have four players in virus protocols ahead of their fixtures against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

- Williamson out for 4-6 weeks

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will be out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured right foot.

He was given “a biologic injection into the fracture site to stimulate bone healing in his right foot,” the Pelicans said on Twitter.

“Williamson will be limited to low impact, partial weight-bearing activities for an extended period. Further updates will be given following further imaging which is anticipated to occur in 4-6 weeks.”

Williamson was the Pelicans’ first overall at the 2019 NBA Draft.