Vaccine acceptance is almost universal among players, with ESPN reporting 95% have been vaccinated. Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. That includesSuns, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers games. I felt like I had a bad cold, sore throat, cough, congestion, Kerr said. And we should have more Christoph Waltz discussions. And this is where it gets dicey.. Naturally, this launched a thousand online conspiracy theories ranging from James' superhuman immune system to an NBA cover-up and outright coronavirus denialism. Make people more comfortable with maybe going cashless making sure your escalators have UV lighting that kills viruses and bacteria and all those things hiring outside professionals who can come in and do audits of the building to make sure that any high touchpoints (can be safer).. What were looking at is technology and how we can utilize technology to improve that sanitation level, Suns president and CEO Jason Rowley said Tuesday. I felt like I could have coached, but I obviously didnt want to get anybody else sick. The league knew that the one player tested positive after the Game 7 loss and there were no red flags about if that player should have tested earlier, Amick added. He is not one thing. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Humble said it seems from what he's seen on TV that only fans in the front row really consistently wear their masks. Official Phoenix Suns app sponsored by Verizon. The NBA will have far more teams put vaccine mandates in place than the NFL did for its season. You may opt-out by. "LeKaren gets COVID while Kyrie is still free," one email read. Guests may also call the Footprint Center Security department at 602-379-2055. Phoenix's independent source of All floor seats are at least 10 feet from the sidelines, and floor seat holders must remain masked at all times and will not be permitted to eat or drink while in the floor area. But a team spokesperson said officials now "expect" and "encourage" face coverings. Banners and signs are allowed at the Footprint Center; however, they must be constructed of flame-retardant material and may not be displayed during play due to sight restrictions. We should not be surprised by the media's fascination with the Lakers, starring LeBron James. With the possible exception of the Warriors, no team fits so seamlessly together, only the Suns do not have Stephen Curry, the most electrifying player of his generation. . The Phoenix Suns will soon be one of those teams as the franchise announced Tuesday up to 1,500 ticketed fans can attend games at the $230-million renovated Phoenix Suns Arena starting Monday . If they go to the game and get sick, its a choice they make," Humble said. All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in Williams' rotation runs at least 10 deep, and seven of them are averaging between 7.6 and 12.6 points per game. The Suns were thoroughly outmatched by the Nuggets in Game 1 on Saturday. Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans back to the transformed arena include: The Suns organization will continue to practice and promote actions that limit the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, washing hands and practicing appropriate social distancing. 4 min read. The NBA season tips off on October 19 with a double-header of the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriorsplay for the rest of the league's teams will get underway over the following two days. Up to 80% of all planned work was completed in time for the 2020 preseason home opener, a 112-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 16, 2020. Re-entry is not available for any games, concerts, or events. A negative COVID-19 test will only apply to . Dr. Johnston says we can take heart in looking around the country as super-spreader events seem to be a thing of the past. Amick and Vardon further report that the Mavericks were aware of the rumblings of an outbreak with the Suns and concerned for their own health as early as Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals that they won in Game 7, which was May 15. Become a member to support the independent voice of Phoenix The three Western Conference finals games played in Phoenix over the past two weeks saw crowds of about 16,600 fans. (AP Photo/Matt York). Phoenix has a 4-6 record against the spread while finishing 6-4 overall over its last 10 games. Below are policies and rules to assist with your visit to Footprint Center. Signs must be made of a soft material that can be folded (e.g. More details in Visitor Guide A-Z under video recorders. "Obviously the vaccine DOES NOT WORK.". Unvaccinated NBA Players Will Reportedly Lose Salary For Games They Miss Due To Local Mandates (Forbes), The NBAs Anti-Vaxxers Are Trying to Push Around the League And Its Working (Rolling Stone), Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, This is a BETA experience. Paul is no high-flyer, either. With a majority of the space starting from scratch outside of the foundation, they were placed in a position to seamlessly put in place more precautions and safety measures for the virus. Seating Charts. The logical conclusion here: Time to get your booster shot. Banners and signs must be hand held and may not obstruct the view of other guests or Footprint Center advertising signage or be temporarily or permanently affixed to the building structure. Signs about wearing masks have beenposted around the arena for Suns and Mercury contests. Computers and laptops. All floor seats are at least 10 feet from the sidelines, and floor seat holders must remain masked at all times and will not be permitted to eat or drink while in the floor area. Paramedics and EMTs are present during events at the Footprint Center; First Aid is located on the Main Concourse across from Section 116. With under three weeks left until the 2021-22 NBA season tips off, at least 15 teams are telling their fans they need to vax up if they want to see the action in person this season--here are where fans will need to show proof of Covid vaccination, or a recent negative test, to get in. His impact requires a deeper look, and that does not play well on Skip Bayless-based programming. For event specific information, please visit the individual event detail page on FootprintCenter.com Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans into the transformed [] The league on Sunday said it had no plans to put its season on hold, as teams struggle to make available a league-mandated eight-man roster for games due to injuries and COVID-19 contact tracing.. For event specific information, please visit the individual event detail page on FootprintCenter.com. Venue Improvements: As part of the Phoenix Suns Arena transformation, a new HVAC system has been installed to more effectively and thoroughly circulate and filter air throughout the arena and promote healthy air quality. How can Suns improve if they end up trading Deandre Ayton? replaced if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. Despite that, they will go into Game 2 with loads of optimism. Even if one of those four players whose vaccine status has not been disclosed tested positive, that would be a 6.7% rate twice that of their vaccinated counterparts in the smallest of sample sizes. Ticket sales for the new seating areas (except floor seats) being added throughout Phoenix Suns Arena will go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 11, beginning with priority access to PayPal SixthMan Season Ticket Members at 8 a.m. MT, followed by non-members at 4 p.m. MT. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The health and safety of fans, staff, players and officials remains the utmost priority for the organization as it moves from 1,500 fan capacity to 3,000. You could understand that, considering NBA players are a) among the most tested individuals in the country and b) traveling from city to city, where their public interactions are exponentially higher than the average American. All rights reserved. Talent at ABC/ESPN with the closest proximity to players (on-court or one-on-one sitdown interviews) during the finals have to test to gain access, regardless of vaccine status. But unlike cups of beer and Devin Booker signs, an accessory worn for more than a year in public might be harder to spot. The other five members of the team who tested positive were support staffers, according to the report. "We still expect fans to wear masks throughout the arena and required at court level per NBA rules," Dean Stoyer, the teams chief marketing and communications officer, wrote in a text message. Gone are the days when players and coaches were tested multiple times a day, with the league-wide goal of keeping COVID-19 completely out. Persons exercising indoors must wear a face covering when it is difficult or impossible to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet. You can find them if you follow people who care more for substance than empty calories. Now, with the Suns finishing the rest of their season at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum if necessary, along with the 2020-21 season likely being pushed back, they have a nice cushion. poster board or cloth). But unlike cups of beer and Devin Booker signs, an accessory worn for more than a year in public might be. As our schedule changes, we can potentially adapt, Rowley said. The vaccination for the other four is undisclosed. The Valleys safety net health care system has seen a recent uptick in COVID-19 patients across its hospitals, from one COVID-positive patient two weeks ago to 12 as of Thursday, White said. Dr. Robby Sikka, a former vice president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves who consulted with the NBA on COVID-19 treatment and protocols, said the rules the league still has in place should remain. Capacity had been reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a jump to 5,000 fans allowed per game on March 31. Additional health and safety measures instituted to welcome fans into the transformed arena include: Footprint Center is a smoke-free facility with no designated smoking area outside of the facility. "Look at other cities where they've opened for baseball and other big events and what's happened afterward, we just haven't seen that. After successfully hosting 1,500 fans during games this week in two-person and four-person, socially distanced pods, the organization has decided to increase capacity to 3,000 fans, adding more two-person and four-person pods in the upper level of the arena, along with a limited number of floor seat pods. The Phoenix Suns ended their conference semifinals series against the Dallas Mavericks and their 2021-22 season suffering from a COVID-19 outbreak, reported The Athletics Sam Amick and Joe Vardon. We got a crash course in Mikal Bridges' two-way contributions. The Denver Nuggets' bench has rounded into form this postseason and could be a tough matchup for the Phoenix Suns. 4: Potent bench could be Denvers edge, Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt. Failure can take many acceptable forms, from bad matchups to the effects of altitude on a top-heavy team already taxing its best players. Each week during the 2021-22 NBA season, we will take a deeper dive into some of the leagues biggest storylines in an attempt to determine whether the trends are based more in fact or fiction moving forward. In that sense, the Suns certainly arent alone. 2: Bookers defense could face healthy Murray. Nobody thought Chris Paul would have another chance to make the Finals, and then he did. (COVID-19) was on everybodys mind, one source close to the situation said. A league spokesman told The Athletic, The NBA has seen no evidence to suggest any rules violations by Suns players or staff. A league source added the NBA could always revisit the situation if new information emerged. Event Schedule (60) Venue Details. In the event a guest requires accessible seating for a particular game, accommodations may be made prior to that game based on availability. All Rights Reserved. The policy will only impact players who play home games in the cities that don't allow exceptions for negative testingNew York and San Franciscowhich impacts the Nets, Knicks and Warriors. local news and culture, Benjamin Leatherman The Phoenix Suns' star quartet of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton looked mighty average in their Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets. We certainly would advocate that people wear masks, that our fans do wear masks, since theyre coming together in these indoor, not well-ventilated environments, to help us decrease the amount of virus transmission that we see, with this virus being prevalent within our communities,Dr. Michael White, chief clinical officer for Phoenix-based Valleywise Health, said at a news briefing Thursday . The NBA announced a new policy on Wednesday that will keep unvaccinated players who are forced to sit out games due to vaccine mandates from being paid for the games they miss. What: The Denver Nuggets face the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference NBA Playoffs game. The Denver Nuggets are 3.5-point favorites heading into Game 1 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena on Saturday, starting at 8:30 PM ET on TNT. The state health department follows CDC guidelines. Before purchasing tickets, carefully review your event and Select Your Dates. But others say even with the more transmissible variant spreading, masks don't need to be required. Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Wheelchair/companion fraud includes, but is not limited to, misrepresentation of a disability for the purpose of obtaining wheelchair/companion seating. The Phoenix Suns are going to the NBA Finals, and thedowntown arena will be packed. The Suns and Nuggets both need to prove something to themselves this postseason that they didn't achieve in the regular season. If were able to move up certain components of the construction, well work with those guys and figure out how to best do that. Please visit the box office to load cash onto a prepaid card which can be used at concessions, team shop and easily loaded int the Mobile Wallet withinthe Official Suns App sponsored by Verizon. 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Initially, the team was slated to play a final season representing Arizona, but when the G League went to a single site season . The Centers for Disease Control still advises avoiding big indoor gatherings but our ABC15 Health Insider says if you're vaccinated, you can do this safely without worry. PHOENIX It appears the Phoenix Suns were dealing with more than the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022 Western Conference semifinals. I dont think were looking to be a trendsetter there. Amick told Bickley & Marotta that, in reporting for the story, some sources said they believed there was a rift in the Suns organization about how to handle the COVID-19 developments. Bulls star Zach LaVine missed Game 5 of Chicagos first-round series after the team announced he tested positive for the virus. BOSTON The Phoenix Suns were managing a COVID-19 outbreak as their season fell apart, multiple sources told The Athletic, with six individuals including one player testing positive either late in the Western Conference semifinals or the day after Game 7. Due to some events having different item restrictions, please contact the arena for more information at feedback@phxses.com. Team and/or Arena rules, or the refunding to the Holder of the . There really is an honor system where the only time the NBA is going to dive in and regulate is if something gets so obvious and so loud that theyre forced to.. . The Fan Promise will be accessible via the Official Suns App sponsored by Verizon and must be completed by every fan, employee and vendor entering the venue. If all four were unvaccinated, that is a 26.7% positivity rate. Their exceptionalism leads them to believe they can make Russell Westbrook work in ways no one else could and welcomes bloviating sports television segments dedicated to the dysfunction his arrival generates. lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed tickets. The Phoenix Suns ended their conference semifinals series against the Dallas Mavericks and their 2021-22 season suffering from a COVID-19 outbreak, reported The Athletic's Sam Amick and. The others who tested positive were support staffers. PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns say they will not tolerate violence in the arena after another fight broke out during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against . card. For information regarding ticketing and seating, accessible drop-off locations, Assistive Listening Receivers, radios, and facility features, please contact a member of our staff or visit the Guest Services Office located in the pavilion, at the Northwest corner of the building. 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 12, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns, meanwhile, transformed from perennial lottery afterthought to bona fide contender overnight, largely skipping the customary years-long discussion that follows most young teams' rise from potential sleeper to plucky playoff challenger and ultimately serious threat. "If you choose not to get vaccinated, then youre choosing a higher risk lifestyle, no matter whether you go to Suns games or not, and thats your choice to make. With rising cases of COVID-19 nationwide due to stalling vaccination rates and the rise of the Delta variant of the virus, the CDC recently updated its guidelines to recommend masks be worn when indoors. The Suns feel like Ayton and the rest of the players on the floor will be geared up for the pick and roll of the Nuggets. Lastly, every fan will be welcomed to a new, cushioned seat, as every seat was replaced during the arena transformation. May 26, 2020, 7:07 PM | Updated: 9:40 pm, Suns president Jason Rowley and general manager James Jones preview the progress made on renovations to Talking Stick Resort Arena. 3: Freeing up Kevin Durant, Denvers largest test, Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt. Jun 8, 2022, 7:14 AM | Updated: 9:10 am, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) drives past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. Of the nine teams that won. Phoenix blues institution The Rhythm Room. Arizona Sports PHOENIX In a weird way, the Phoenix Suns were presented a unique opportunity given the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak and their renovations to Talking Stick Resort Arena. But that number does not appear to include at least a few of the league's high-profile players. will be allowed. Below are policies and rules to assist with your visit to Footprint Center. Jun 7, 2022 The Phoenix Suns were managing a COVID-19 outbreak as their season fell apart, multiple sources told The Athletic, with six individuals including one player testing positive. The Athletics policy is not to name players who test positive for COVID-19 unless they are named by the team. seat selection. In 2022-23, the Suns are 13th in the league in 3-point makes (12.2 per game) and seventh in 3-point percentage (37.4%). Since the start of the 2022 postseason, there have been some high-profile cases of key players and coaches missing games due to COVID-19. Some thought it played a part in Phoenixs flameout, while others disagreed. It's probably a good idea to wear masks indoorsin crowded situations, since its still possible vaccinated people can get the virus, said Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of Arizona State Universitys Biodesign Institute, at a Wednesday news briefing. Are we going to have more treatments available, or are we going to more aggressively use Paxlovid? A casual observer's begrudging respect does not really matter in the end. (Kellan Olson/Arizona Sports). You can say that you put that on your website, and you can even print it on the tickets, but if you dont enforce it, then its not real," Humble said. At this point pretty much everybodys had a chance (to get the vaccine). When it was over, they were told it was a fluke. At previous games inside Suns Arena, they were able to keep empty seats between fans but Tuesday night will be more of a challenge. Devin Booker's defensive rise could be coming at the right time to give the Phoenix Suns another defender to put on Denver's Jamal Murray. To limit any potential spread of COVID-19, visitors must wear a mask to enter the building. The arena is owned by the city but managed by the Suns organization. Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordans flu game, when he scored 38 points in a Bulls win in the NBA Finals over Utah playing with what at the time was believed to be the flu (which is highly contagious) but was actually food poisoning from bad pizza. Masks: Wearing masks will be mandatory for entry and must be worn at all times unless actively eating and drinking and only in ticketed seats. First, it's a flimsy excuse, and second, the story raises questions about how the Suns navigated NBA rules for dealing with COVID-19. In NBA terms, it is the Bradley Beal defense. Theres not a lot of day-to-day oversight. Management reserves the right to amend the above policy without notice depending on individual event restrictions. Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans. Six people, including a . As part of a $230 million project, about 70% of the arena renovations were expected to be done by the start of the 2020-21 season. Arizona Derby Dames (2009-present) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, located at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Ultimately, I think thats a bigger issue than the NBA. Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors was also unvaccinated as of last week, with the NBA denying his application for a religious exemption to the league's vaccine policy. Mask-wearing indoors has become a fresh topic of discussion among public health officialsgiven the delta variant. The ordeal raised questions internally about whether they were following the leagues rules for testing. Ben Rohrbach is a staff writer for Yahoo Sports. Reset. You may also direct any questions regarding accessibility to the Guest Services hotline at 602-379-2060. The Phoenix Suns are increasing capacity for fans at the transformed Phoenix Suns Arena beginning with the teams matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The venue debuted as America West Arena and later changed to U.S. Airways Center and then Talking Stick Resort Arena.. Fans are asked to wear masks to get in the door and when not actively eating. Deandre Ayton thrived against back-to-back league MVP Nikola Jokic in the second round two years ago. The NBA has a league-wide policy requiring all fans seated within 15 feet of the court or player benches show either proof of vaccination or a recent negative test at arenas across the league. He is all things, scoring in isolation, as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, spotting up or coming off screens. Information in this story was confirmed by more than a half-dozen sources. Weapons of any kind *no knives of any size & no mace/pepper spray of any size. A little over a week later, the franchise doubled the capacity from 1,500 to 3,000.. Those continuing to violate the policy will be ejected from the facility. Eleven teams will require fans to show either proof of vaccination or a qualifying recent negative test: the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings. Only four NFL teams put vaccine mandates in place prior to this seasonthe Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills. Tablets that are 8 or smaller are allowed for sporting events, but prohibited during concerts/events. You hear stories from quite a few teams, where its like we never admitted it publicly, but so-and-so doesnt feel great and theyre a really important player, Amick told Arizona Sports Bickley & Marotta on Wednesday after the story was published. They are trying to prevent spread within their organizations because they want to be able to play in the finals.. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause to the Suns' 2019-20 season and allowed for an early start to the most recent renovations. Signs should not be larger than 11 x 17. Theres a lot of room for things to happen in the shadows if that makes sense. Join the New Times community and help support Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt.1: Can Deandre Ayton stifle Nikola Jokic again. The NBA requires all team personnel, regardless of vaccine status, to test for the virus if they are experiencing symptoms, and they may not play, coach or be at team facilities if they test positive. Four teams will have a vaccine mandate with no apparent exception allowing unvaccinated adult fans to attend gamesthey are: the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.