Kristaps Porzingis fined $50,000 for breaking COVID protocols
FILE — Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a shot against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on April 21, 2021 . (Photo by TOM PENNINGTON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
The NBA fined Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis $50,000 for visiting a club May 23 in violation of the league’s current COVID-19 policies.
Specifically, Porzingis broke “the rule prohibiting players from going into any bar, club, lounge, or similar establishment, regardless of the player’s vaccination status,” NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell said in a statement.
However, Porzingis was not suspended and will not be forced to miss time during the Mavericks’ first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/MeI2Ao25Vc
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 25, 2021
“In consultation with medical experts, and based on all facts and circumstances, it was determined that his attendance did not create risks related to the spread of COVID-19 and therefore no quarantine is necessary,” the statement said.
Porzingis posted 14 points and four rebounds in Dallas’ Game 1 win over the Clippers on Saturday. Game 2 will be played Tuesday night in Los Angeles before the series moves to Dallas.
Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 8.9 rebounds in 43 games for the Mavericks during the regular season, with career averages of 18.7 points and 7.8 boards over five seasons with the New York Knicks and Dallas.
It’s the second high-profile case examining what NBA players can and can’t do in their downtime this postseason, as vaccination numbers rise around the country. LeBron James attended an outdoor event with rapper Drake before the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Golden State Warriors in the first Western Conference play-in game last week.
But because that event was held outside and required participants to either be vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19, James did not run afoul of NBA guidelines and was not fined, suspended or forced to quarantine.
