NEW YORK—Instant replay of out-of-bounds violations in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime of National Basketball Association (NBA) games this season will be initiated by a coach’s challenge, rather than referees.
The NBA’s Board of Governors approved the change Wednesday on a one-year trial basis.
Under the previous rule, coaches could not challenge an out-of-bounds ruling within the final two minutes. The change allows coaches to challenge an out-of-bounds ruling at any point in the game.
The FedEx Forum in Memphis, meanwhile, will continue requiring face masks to everyone attending games for the Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis Tigers and other arena events regardless of vaccination status through the end of October.
The announcement followed Shelby County’s health directive continuing its mask mandate.
A release stated that unvaccinated spectators 12 years and older must present proof of a negative Covid-19 test at least 72 hours allowed to attend before Grizzlies and Tigers games, starting with the NBA club’s October 20 home opener.
Vaccinated fans must show proof of at least one dose for entry.
Children age two to 11 must be masked, the release added, and will need to provide proof a negative Covid test if seated within 15 feet of the court at Grizzlies games. Children under age two will not have to wear a mask.
Grizzlies President Jason Wexler said the team polled season ticket holders and found “a clear-cut supermajority” of them are vaccinated and want to be in a similar or tested environment.
He added that once the mask order is lifted and with the vaccination/negative test policy in place, “fans can get back to a mask-less environment inside FedExForum with the confidence that everyone in attendance is either vaccinated or has shown proof of a negative test.” AP