Report: 48 NBA Players Test Positive For COVID-19
Dec 2, 2020, 4:54 PM | Updated: 5:08 pm
Los Angeles Lakers Celebrate Championship (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA was hit hard in its first round of coronavirus testing since training camps opened on Tuesday. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, 48 NBA players tested positive for COVID-19 as 2020-21 season gets underway.
The number is a significant departure from the league’s bubble campus in Orlando that successfully prevented any player from the 22 teams in Florida from contracting the virus. It’s also a strong reminder of the challenges the NBA will face now that is attempting to host games in arenas across the country.
“48 NBA players have tested positive for coronavirus out of 546 tested during initial testing phase from Nov. 24-30, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium,” Charania tweeted.
48 NBA players have tested positive for coronavirus out of 546 tested during initial testing phase from Nov. 24-30, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2020
Despite the eye-opening number, Charnia says the NBA anticipated positive COVID-19 tests as camps get underway.
“Everyone across NBA expected a number of positive tests because players are reentering their markets and restarting the league’s cohesive health/safety protocols,” Charania said in a follow-up tweet. “This is part of the process and similar to when players were tested in-market prior to the July restart in Orlando.”
NBA teams are already facing a shortened offseason and training camp period. Players began individual workouts at team facilities on Tuesday, with the regular season opening on December 22.
The @UtahJazz announced their three-game preseason schedule. #TakeNote https://t.co/29SQCSvyAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 27, 2020
During the league’s restart in Orlando, the quarantine protocol stated players must sit out at least 14 days after a positive test and undergo additional cardiac screening before returning to play.
The NBA preseason is set to get underway on Friday, December 11 with five games on the docket.
