The National Basketball Association (NBA) sent a memo to clubs informing them that unvaccinated players against the coronavirus or those without a medical exemption are still prohibited from playing in Canada, where the Toronto Raptors play.

The American network ESPN said the memo forced clubs to write "Will not play due to health and safety protocol" next to the names of players who will not play due to being unvaccinated, and that they will not receive a salary for missing those games.

This matter caused Kyrie Irving to miss his team Brooklyn Nets' games in Canada last season.

Also, Matisse Thybulle, a Philadelphia 76ers player, missed 4 games for his team during the season and playoffs in Toronto.

Raptors players will be treated similarly as they must get vaccinated or have a medical exemption to enter the United States.

The Raptors announced last season that all their players were vaccinated against COVID-19, and the new season starts on October 18.