Report: NBA rule change prevents cell phone use for players, coaches during games | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the NBA will reportedly “communicate to teams a revised cell phone and social media policy” that would prohibit players and coaches from using their phones from tipoff until the end of games.

The previous rules on phone use stated that players and coaches were not allowed to use their phones in certain situations – such as posting on social media or sharing video footage with an official or media member – from 45 minutes before kickoff until after completing media duties thereafter Game.

Those rules remain in effect, but the reported adjustment will enforce a stricter no-phone policy for the duration of games, as the NBA hopes its rule changes will serve to keep coaches and players “focused on team matters” and also promote “integrity of the game in terms of gambling,” Begley said.

Teams will establish “a communication point for players and coaches” during the time when cell phones are not allowed at all, likely in the event of an outside emergency or other urgent communication that a player needs to access during that time.

However, it is unclear how strictly the NBA can actually enforce such rules when players go to the locker room at halftime, other than players blatantly violating the rules during that time by posting on social media or teams themselves banning any phone use report .

It also remains to be seen how players will react to the league’s new and stricter rules on phone use.