Unvaccinated Warriors Might Be Barred From Home Games: Report

SAN FRANCISCO, CA —A report Wednesday by The Athletic suggested unvaccinated Golden State Warriors players will be subject to local vaccine policies, which would mean they are unable to enter the team's arena during the upcoming season.

The report was tweeted by NBA reporter Shams Charania, who said players will be expected to follow governmental policies in cities in which there are vaccination requirements, which currently means San Francisco and New York. This would affect the Warriors, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

"Unvaccinated NBA players in markets with local requirements will not be allowed to enter home arenas or facilities for games or team activities conducted there unless there's approved medical or religious exception," Charania wrote.

Charania said visiting players are exempt from the vaccination requirements in New York City and San Francisco.

Since Aug. 20, residents of San Francisco, ages 12 and up, have been required to show proof of vaccination to enter any indoor event with 1,000 or more attendees. A San Francisco Department of Health spokesperson confirmed to the East Bay Times that this policy is in place for "patrons and employees."

Since the requirement is for gatherings of 1,000 people or more, unvaccinated Warriors likely could still attend practice, a fact a team spokesman later confirmed to the East Bay Times.

San Francisco mayor London Breed's office did note earlier this month that there may be some exemptions to the vaccine mandate under state and federal law, according to the East Bay Times.

It's not known which Warriors players, if any, are unvaccinated. In March, the Warriors Canadian forward Andrew Wiggins told reporters he had decided not to get the vaccine, the East Bay Times reported. However, Wiggins' vaccine status is unknown at this time.

Another player, Kent Bazemore, also expressed some hesitancy about the vaccine while he was a member of the Warriors last season. However, he has moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Warriors first home preseason game is scheduled for Oct. 15 against the Portland Trail Blazers, and their regular-season home opener is scheduled for Oct. 21 against the Los Angeles Clippers.