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NBA makes masks mandatory for players and coaches
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland wears a face mask and gloves to protect against the spread of COVID-19 as he helps the team warm up prior to an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in San Antonio

THE NBA is adopting a tougher masks policy, telling teams on Monday that players on the active roster will have to wear face coverings in the bench area until they enter games.

That memo was released on the same day the Brooklyn Nets ruled All-Star forward Kevin Durant out for last night’s game against Utah in accordance with the league’s health and safety protocols for dealing with coronavirus.

Among the new rules, which took effect last night: players who are dressed for games and eligible to participate must wear a face mask until they enter the game, all players and coaches must wear face masks when outside the team environment if they are around other players and coaches, and players must report the names of any private trainer, therapist, chiropractor or other specialist who they work with outside of the team facility.

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