By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Two Golden State Warriors players and one of the Washington Wizards returned positive coronavirus tests generating an alarming trend to the start of the training camp ahead of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season.
“As players have entered back into our market, two players have tested positive after they’ve reentered,” said Warriors GM Bob Myers, “I don’t think this is unexpected with all the guys coming back in from [outside the] market. It kind of proves that the protocols and testing are working. That was the whole point to catch these things before we began.”
“As a result, we’ve been delayed one day so we’re going to start our individual workouts [Wednesday] and then the official kind of camp where they’re going to be practicing and everything together I believe will start on Monday,” he added, “Obviously, I can’t disclose the players [who tested positive] per CBA and HIPAA rules, but I wanted to get that out, get in front of that so everybody on the call knows that we’re actually officially starting 1-on-0 stuff tomorrow and then Monday we begin with the increased activities. That’s all per the NBA protocols, which I’m learning a lot about.”
A new Wizards player yet to arrive in Washington tested positive, confirmed head coach Scott Brooks noting that his remaining players are ready to go. Rookie Deni Avdija is among the additions to his squad, as well as Robin Lopez, Anthony Gill, and Raul Neto.
The unnamed players can join the training camp ten days after the first positive test provided an improved condition and no fever in the previous 24 hours, according to health and safety protocols implemented by the NBA.
Players and coaches all around the NBA will be tested daily. More positive cases seem likely to surface in the next days and disrupt the teams approaching the launch of the Regular Season.