The NBA plans to keep playing through the pandemic. However, some of the top NBA brass feel a pause may be in order at this time.
As it stands, two games (Boston at Chicago, New Orleans at Dallas) have been suspended as of this writing.
In addition to postponing two games, the NBA says it will be meeting with the NBPA about modifying the league’s Health and Safety Protocols. pic.twitter.com/M8pfsqs0nE
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 11, 2021
Several teams in the league have found themselves at or near the minimum amount of players to in order to play games according to league rules. On Sunday, the Miami Heat had an inconclusive test return, in addition to regular injuries, cause them to have less than the necessary eight-player threshold and caused the second game of the 2020-21 season to be postponed.
According to NBC Sports, the league is looking at various options in order to keep things rolling along while increasing coronavirus safety, and that's why a short break may be necessary.
Among topics for GM call today centered on tightening protocols, sources tell ESPN: Re-examining shootarounds and practice lengths, pre-and-post game socializing on court (for example, hugs), further restrictions on restaurant dining and tighter rules on mask-wearing.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 11, 2021
"Among topics for GM call today centered on tightening protocols, sources tell ESPN: Re-examining shootarounds and practice lengths, pre-and-post game socializing on court (for example, hugs), further restrictions on restaurant dining and tighter rules on mask-wearing," tweeted ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.
Some critics, including NBC Sports itself, consider that further measures are not necessary due to the fact that players were contracting the novel coronavirus at a much higher rate before the season started than they are now, showing that the measures have had some degree of success.