The NBA has reached a 95% vaccination threshold of its players, reflecting a steady rise since the opening of training camps this week, league sources told ESPN on Thursday.
That uptick — which includes players who’ve minimally received one vaccination shot, sources said — comes as unvaccinated players prepare for losses of salary for games missed in the Bay Area and New York due to local governmental mandates.
Near the opening of training camps, the NBA had approximately 90% of its players vaccinated.
The NBA and the Players Association agreed on stringent policies for unvaccinated players this season, including realities of significant isolation from teammates and staff.
The protocols will require unvaccinated players to be under many of the same restrictions that the entire league played under for the vast majority of last season, before the COVID-19 vaccine was available.
Vaccinated players, on the other hand, will have far fewer restrictions. For example, all fully vaccinated players, as well as Tier 1 personnel — coaches and anyone else working regularly within 15 feet of players and referees, all of whom have already been mandated to get the vaccine — will not have to undergo daily testing.
Teams have also been instructed to have their seating arrangements prevent players that aren’t fully vaccinated from sitting together.