Top 5 NBA players who have openly opposed the COVID vaccination protocol

#3 Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets, Power Forward)

Denver Nuggets power forward Michael Porter Jr. #1 dunking

Michael Porter Jr. is a rising young star in the NBA after just two seasons. After Denver Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray went down with an ACL tear, Porter stepped up.

Last season, Porter averaged 19 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while shooting 54% from the field and 45% from three. After the All-Star break, Porter’s stats took a massive jump, going from 14.6 points in 28.,6 minutes to 22.3 points in 30.5. Porter is expected to play a crucial role in the Nuggets' championship hopes, with Murray likely to miss a large part of the season.

However, Porter has yet to get COVID-19 vaccinated and has spoken out against the NBA’s protocol. If Porter misses time due to these rules, it could hurt the Nuggets' season.

#2 Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets, Point Guard)

Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving with the ball in his hands

The Brooklyn Nets came out today, making it clear that unless Kyrie Irving receives the COVID-19 vaccination, he will not be a part of the team moving forward. New York City requires you to be vaccinated if you want to enter into an enclosed area, meaning Irving would have to miss all of the Nets' home games.

Irving’s basketball skill is undeniable, as he is an NBA champion and a seven-time NBA All-Star. last season might have been one of the best seasons of his 10-year career. He scored 26.9 points, the second-most of his career, adding six assists, the third-most of his career. On top of that, he was just the ninth player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club.

The Irving COVID-19 saga has officially hit a crossroads today, and if Irving wants to be a part of the Nets finals run, he needs to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

#1 Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards, Shooting Guard)

Washington Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal with the ball

Bradley Beal has become one of the best scorers in the NBA, and Irving are the most prominent names to be openly unvaccinated, but the difference is one is in New York City, and one is in Washington D.C.

Beal has always been a solid player for the Washington Wizards, averaging 22 points in his career. In the last two seasons, Beal has gone to another level, averaging over 30 points. Beal's name is constantly on the trade rumor wheel at just 28 years old, with the Wizards' lack of recent playoff success.

Beal openly discredited the COVID-19 vaccine in his Wizards' media day press conference. However, the next day he did come back and say he is still considering getting the vaccine or not.