When New York City created an exemption to its city-wide mandate that allowed Nets star Kyrie Irving to play in Brooklyn, that looked like the end of the NBA's vaccine drama. However, with the first round of the postseason coming up, a new potential problem is emerging for the top teams in the Eastern Conference. 

Starting earlier this season, a Canadian vaccine mandate was put into effect that prevented unvaccinated road players from entering the country. Players have been affected for single games, but thus far, the impact has been relatively minimal. However, with Toronto currently seeded No. 6 in the Eastern Conference, the possibility that they might host several home playoff games is becoming significantly higher.

Right now, there are four teams fighting for the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference: the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Barring a major surprise, those are the four teams that will earn the top four seeds, and unless Toronto surprisingly drops out of the playoffs, one of them will battle the Raptors when the playoffs begin. This wouldn't be a problem for Milwaukee and Miami. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, both have said that their rosters are fully vaccinated.