Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis was fined by the National Basketball Association after he went to a club regardless of his vaccination status. He was fined $50,000.00, as announced by the President of NBA League Operations, Byron Spruell.
Porzingis visited a club on May 23. Although it is already confirmed by medical experts that his clubbing didn’t create any risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus and there’s no quarantine required for him, still it’s under the NBA’s new guidelines that all players are prohibited from going into any bar or club.
The Mavericks forwards club attendance became a controversy, especially when fans have compared his situation to Lebron James’ attendance at an outdoor event of a tequila brand. Even so, LeBron James did not get any monetary punishment for it nor has received a suspension for attending the event. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass explained that Porzingis and James’ situations are different.
Mike Bass said that LeBron James had attended a sponsored commercial activity, where all attendees are required to be vaccinated or should have a negative result for Covid-19. Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle didn’t dispute the penalty, as he already accepted the NBA’s condition. He didn’t leave any comment regarding Porzingis’ penalty, yet they have carefully addressed the matter internally.
The Mavericks are set to play against the Clippers for Game 2 on Tuesday. Last Saturday, they have won against the Clippers with a record of 113-103. Kristaps Porzingis has yet to comment about his violation.