Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard won’t be penalized for using an adhesive substance on his hands, but the Rockets were issued a warning, according to a memo sent from NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe to teams on Monday.
In the memo, the league made it clear it prohibits during games the use of adhesive substances and quick drying adherent, which is often used to help secure tape, underwrap and elastic wraps. The memo states that “substances that merely dry a player’s hands” are permitted. Resin, chalk and liquid chalk are allowed.
Howard was found using a sticky, hand-drying substance during Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. After Howard used the spray, Hawks forward Paul Millsap noticed a sticky substance on the basketball. Howard said he often used the substance.
The league also told teams that in advance of the playoffs it will send “more specific information concerning what substances players and teams are permitted to use during games.”
