Skip to main content
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.

Support the Morning Star
You can read five articles for free every month,
but please consider supporting us by becoming a subscriber.
More from this author
Brentford's Neal Maupay celebrates scoring their side's firs
Men’s football / 3 December 2023
3 December 2023
Real Madrid's Jose Vinicius Junior in action during the UEFA
Men’s Football / 22 May 2023
22 May 2023
KADEEM SIMMONDS stresses the need for harsher punishments for hate speech in football
Manchester United legend Andy Cole with Kadeem Simmonds afte
Simmonds Speaks / 10 August 2021
10 August 2021
Similar stories
Barry Ferguson, Sepetmber 1, 2024
Sport / 25 February 2025
25 February 2025
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the o
Men’s Football / 4 December 2024
4 December 2024
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (left) and forward LeB
Sport / 17 October 2024
17 October 2024
Nepotism debate surrounding LeBron and Bronny James stems from a longstanding stigma in the US, writes ALANIS THAMES
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (left) and his son, Bronny
Men's Basketball / 7 October 2024
7 October 2024