According to a report, the NBA will not impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the 2022–23 season, even though the league still strongly advises that all players, coaches, and staff members obtain the COVID–19 vaccination.
Nevertheless, in light of ongoing discussions with the National Basketball Players Association, unvaccinated players may be subject to sporadic testing.
This is consistent with the NBA’s health and safety regulations from the previous season when local governments and states decided whether to require vaccinations.
Players were not required to obtain the vaccine, but they were required to abide by local regulations, and those who had not had the vaccine were subject to more onerous testing and limitations.
Mandatory as per country’s guidelines
The majority of players opted to get immunized, and the league had a 95 percent immunization rate going into the previous season.
Even Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors, who at first opposed the vaccine, decided to get it to play in the Bay Area.
But there were still a few conspicuous holdouts.
Due to his lack of vaccinations and inability to enter Canada, Philadelphia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle was unable to participate in Games 3, 4, and 6 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors.
He was sent home by the Nets for the first half of the season due to his unwillingness to receive the vaccination, and he did not play at all until the team decided to modify its strategy on January 5.
Even then, he could only play away games, and he only sometimes made an appearance until March 27, when he finally made his home debut after New York relaxed certain local regulations.
Although Irving officially “won” the vaccine dispute, his vaccine drama significantly contributed to the collapse of the Nets’ temporary super squad.
Because the team was hesitant to provide him with a long-term agreement, Irving is now forced to play out the final year of his contract. He underperformed while the Nets were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.
Vaccination is not compulsary in certain Countries.
The vast majority of the league is immunized, and the majority of states, including California and New York, have eliminated vaccination requirements for attending key events, so there shouldn’t be any significant concerns regarding Irving’s upcoming season.
COVID-19 immunization is still necessary to enter Canada, thus unless that country changes its regulations, any unvaccinated players will not be allowed to play road games against the Raptors.