As the NBA tries to fortify itself against waves of positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the league will increase daily testing and face mask use for players and staff through the holiday season, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to elevate testing for two weeks starting on December 26. Players and staff will be tested on game days except for those who received their booster shot 14-plus days earlier or recently recovered from the virus, the memo said.

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN

ANALYSIS: Wojnarowski added that "players and staff will be required to wear masks on the benches, in the teams' workout facilities and while traveling with the team, the memo said."

With 22 players entering COVID-19 protocols on Wednesday and Thursday alone, the league will attempt to fight the surge with increasing testing and other COVID protocols that were in effect last season.