NBA will allow guests in bubble after first round of playoffs

The NBA will allow players up to four guests in the bubble following the first round of the playoffs. Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Guests will be allowed to join NBA players in bubble after first round of playoffs

By Blake Harper | Last updated 8/12/20

The NBA regular season is coming to an end this week, with the playoffs scheduled to begin on Aug. 17. Once teams advance past the first round, players will be able to have guests join them in the bubble.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski shared that according to guidelines approved by the NBA and NBPA, players will be allowed to have up to four guests in the bubble with them, though that number can be exceeded in the case of children. Guests can choose to quarantine for three days in team markets then quarantine an additional four days in Orlando or head straight to Orlando and quarantine for a week. After testing, guests will be able to travel on team charters and once in the bubble, guests will be able to attend games.

Players will be allowed to bring in family and "established longstanding personal friends," into The Bubble, per memo shared with teams today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020

A memo shared with teams states that guests are allowed to be family members and "established longstanding personal friends" while making it clear that players are not allowed to invite "any individual the player has not previously met in person or with whom the player has had limited in-person interactions. (For example)... known by the player only through social media or an intermediary." People employed by players, such as a chef or agent, are also not allowed to be guests in the bubble.

So far, the NBA bubble has been a massive success, so it will be interesting to see if it is at all affected by the addition of a whole new wave of people. Hopefully, the league's aggressive testing will continue to keep players safe.

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