Jul 28, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; An overview of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with a COVD-19 warning sign where the NBA season restart is held. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

NBA adjusts protocols for players who return inconclusive coronavirus tests

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/3/20

The NBA is making modifications to one of their many health and safety protocols.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA is altering its protocols for players who return inconclusive coronavirus tests. Wojnarowski reports that after entering quarantine, a player who is asymptomatic and tests negative on their first retest will be permitted to play in his next game as long as another negative test is returned within 60 minutes of the game's start time.

After entering quarantine, if a player is asymptomatic and tests negative on a first retest, he will be permitted to play in his next game as long another negative test is returned within 60 minutes of the game's start time. On average, every 5 in 1,000 tests can be inconclusive. https://t.co/mqS799rG8c
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2020

The modified protocol will allow players to return to game action faster than they've been able to since teams reported to the bubble in July.

Concerns arose from teams that players' availability could be jeopardized if an inconclusive test result comes in the middle of a playoff series, Wojnarowski adds.

The first round of the playoffs begins on Aug. 17 with the Finals ending no later than Oct. 13.

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