Grizzlies-Blazers called off; NBA stresses new protocols

Contact tracing issues for Memphis Grizzlies meant y would t have eugh players eligible to play in Portland on Wednesday night, leading to 16th game postponement for coronavirus-related reasons by NBA this season.

Of those, 15 have come since Jan. 10 and number could rise again soon: Memphis is scheduled to play in Portland on Friday as well. league has t made any anuncement about wher that game will happen as planned.

By NBA rule, teams must have eight eligible players for games; Grizzlies would t meet that threshold because of “ongoing contact tracing,” league said.

decision about Portland-Memphis game came on same day that league, in a memo sent to teams and obtained by Associated Press, reiterated some of new stiffer protocols that were agreed to last week.

Starting with Wednesday’s games, NBA told teams to have ir security officials “stationed near half-court line during pre-game warmups and post-game to provide reminders to players and staff and encour compliance” with rules regarding interaction.

NBA, last week, said players must maintain six feet of distance as much as possible during pre-game warmups and post-game meetings — a rule that has t been followed in many circumstances, even with additional urging from league about its importance.

Players, NBA reminded Wednesday, must limit ir interactions to elbow bumps and fist bumps. Hugs and handshakes are t permitted, and when players are exchanging pleasantries after games y remain “strongly encourd to wear facemasks during any such interactions,” league said.

Included in Wednesday’s guidance from league: a reminder that speaking face-to-face while unmasked raises meaningful risks of transmission. league has also said that should a player test positive after such an interaction, or player could have to quarantine because of his possible exposure.

Grizzlies have t played in Portland since April 3, 2019. y were scheduled to play re on March 12, 2020 — day after NBA suspended its season because of coronavirus pandemic.

Portland is 20th NBA team to have at least one game called off in last two weeks. Memphis had its game at Minnesota last Friday called off after Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19.

Postponed games, when possible, will be made up in second half of season, which will take place from March 11 — one-year anniversary of last season shutting down because of pandemic — through May 16. league has t yet released that half of schedule and isn’t expected to do so until late February at earliest.

Players who test positive must undergo a battery of exams before being cleared to return to play, such as cardiac tests. Those ruled out by contact tracing have been able, in most circumstances, to return after a quarantine period provided y continue to test negative for COVID-19.

Im credits: AP