Celtics, 76ers decline to say if all players meet Canadian COVID-19 vaccination requirements

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Toronto Raptors were sixth in the Eastern Conference standings but were just four-and-a-half games back of the first-place Miami Heat in what's become a crowded table. It appears the Raptors could have an advantage over some opponents in next month's postseason tournament. 

According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, players must be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Canada for matchups in Toronto. While the Heat and Milwaukee Bucks told ESPN their squads are fully vaccinated, both the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers declined to comment on the matter. Toronto would face Boston if the playoffs started today. 

There's currently no indication Canada will change its guidelines by the time the regular season ends on April 10.

Boston was without four players for Monday's loss at Toronto. Robert Williams, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were all listed as out due to injury issues, while Al Horford has missed the last two contests for personal reasons. ESPN reports Williams is vaccinated, and Tatum said before the season he's also vaccinated. 

Canada considers individuals fully vaccinated against the coronavirus when they're at least two weeks past the second shot of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks past the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Assuming the Raptors host a playoff game three weeks from now, unvaccinated players have about seven days to rectify the issue to be eligible to enter Canada. 

The 76ers play at the Raptors on April 7.