During the 20-21 season, the Milwaukee Bucks had been “almost fanatical in adhering to the league’s draconian virus protocols,” writes Matt Sullivan at Rolling Stone.
As the Bucks began The Finals with the Delta strain beginning to hit the United States, their traveling party expanded to include wives, girlfriends, entourages and extended families.
There was also uncertainty whether Giannis Antetokounmpo was vaccinated.
“We were very concerned that Giannis wasn’t vaccinated and that, with all of this exposure from all these different people,” said one official from the Bucks.
“It hit everybody pretty quickly, but the biggest thing was: Just make sure Giannis tests negative.“
During The Finals, approximately a dozen people associated with the Bucks and Phoenix Suns tested positive for COVID-19. There were six vaccinated staffers, including coaching and medical staffers from the Bucks; family members and people in both franchise entourages; and one player, Giannis’ brother and teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he is now vaccinated. Giannis avoided being a close contact to his brother in the days leading up to the positive results which allowed him to keep playing.