Report: NBA players require vaccine to play in home arenas with local mandates

NBA players who remain unvaccinated will not be able to enter their home arenas or other team facilities in markets where vaccine mandates are currently in place, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

For example, the San Francisco Department of Public Health requires proof of full vaccination for entry to indoor events featuring more than 1,000 attendees, including those at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. Golden State players who remain unvaccinated and are not exempt due to medical or religious reasons would be unable to participate in team events at the arena - including games.

Similar rules in New York City will require members of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets organizations to get the vaccine in order to access Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center.

However, visiting players in both San Francisco and New York City are reportedly exempt from the requirements.

The NBA does not currently require all players to be vaccinated against COVID-19, though a league memo sent last week states a wide array of staff - including coaches, front-office members, and broadcasters - who work in close contact with players will need to show proof of vaccination ahead of an Oct. 1 deadline. The NBA also announced all game officials will be vaccinated.