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NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said on Wednesday that NBA players who do not comply with local vaccination requirements will not be paid for the games that they miss due to their status. The policy could impact players on the Warriors, Nets and Knicks, as all three teams play in areas in which local jurisdictions are requiring people to be fully vaccinated to be allowed indoors for entertainment.
Knicks general manager Scott Perry said the entire New York roster is vaccinated; however the policy can still impact the Warriors and Nets. Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving did not attend Nets media day in person Monday due to New York City’s health and safety protocols, and would not comment on his specific vaccination status, saying that he “prefers to keep that stuff private.” And when asked to clarify his vaccination status on Monday, Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins declined, saying, “it’s none of your business.” The NBA denied Wiggins’s request to get a religious exemption for the vaccine on Friday.
On Tuesday, the league informed teams that it was close to finalizing an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association on health and safety protocols for the upcoming season. NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said Tuesday that more than 90% of the league’s players are fully vaccinated.
