The sharp increase in COVID-19 cases around the NBA this month affected the availability of dozens of players and caused the league to be postponed for several games. With COVID numbers soaring, the NBA is said to be discussing modifications to health and safety protocols with the National Basketball Players Association, including potential roster expansion options. The league saw the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant within the NBA player pool last week, In the sun of Shaaraniyah sports.
Multiple teams are dealing with outbreaks. That includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who tested five players positive for COVID on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets have 10 players per protocol, including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
As of Sunday, seven matches in total have been postponed. Five of those postponements were announced on Sunday, and they affect the schedules of nine different teams.
Postponed matches in the 2021-22 season
- Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets (Originally scheduled for December 21)
- Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors (December 20)
- New Orleans Pelicans vs Philadelphia 76ers (December 19)
- Denver Nuggets vs Brooklyn Nets (December 19)
- Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers (December 19)
- Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors (December 16)
- Detroit Pistons vs Chicago Bulls (December 14)
The Chicago Bulls, who didn’t play against the Detroit Pistons or the Toronto Raptors last week, may get several players eligible to return on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers, who will have a provisional roster themselves.
Players who have not been fully vaccinated must enter health and safety protocols if they are found to have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. Starting Friday, players who did not receive a booster dose will be subject to stricter restrictions, including game day testing. If a player tests positive for COVID-19, they must immediately isolate them until 10 days of such testing or symptoms appear, or until they test negative on two PCR tests 24 hours apart.
The coaching staff was also affected as Lakers coach Frank Vogel will miss Sunday’s game against the Bulls after entering protocols. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, Kings coach Alvin Gentry and Toronto president Masai Ujiri entered the protocols.
Regarding the influence on fans, Advertise Raptors On December 15, they will play home games at 50 percent capacity. They are currently the only team to announce the updated Arena ability policy.
Here is a list of players for each individual team in health and safety protocols, along with their entry date:
Players in health and safety protocols
- Broderick Thomas (December 18)
- Jabbari Parker (December 16)
- Alhorford (December 17)
- Grant Williams (December 17)
- Juancho Hernangomes (December 17)
Brooklyn Networks
- Kevin Durant (December 18)
- Kyrie Irving (December 18)
- Daron Sharp (December 18)
- LaMarcus Aldridge (December 14)
- DeAndre’ Bembry (December 14)
- Bruce Brown (December 14)
- Jevon Carter (December 14)
- James Harden (December 14)
- James Johnson (December 14)
- Paul Millsap (December 13)
Chicago Bulls
- Alize Johnson (December 13)
- Troy Brown Jr. (December 12)
- Zach Lavigne (December 12)
- Come to your Dosun (December 11th)
- Stanley Johnson (December 11)
- Matt Thomas (December 9, could return on Sunday against Lakers)
- Garrett Allen (December 19)
- Lamar Stevens (December 19)
- Dylan Wendler (December 19)
- Denzel Valentine (December 19)
- RJ Nembhard (December 19)
- Evan Mobley (December 18)
- Isaac Okoro (December 16)
- Josh Green (December 19)
- Reggie Bullock (December 18)
- Michael Porter Jr. (December 17)
- Paul Paul (17 December)
Golden State Warriors
- Marcus Morris Sr. (December 18)
Los Angeles Lakers
- Kent Bazimore (December 19)
- Avery Bradley (December 16)
- Austin Reeves (December 17)
- Tallinn Horton Tucker (December 14)
- Dwight Howard (December 14)
Memphis Grizzlies
- Zayer Williams (December 19)
- Anthony Edwards (December 17)
- Taurean Prince (December 17)
- Miles McBride (December 18)
- Emmanuel Quikley (December 17)
- Kevin Knox II (December 16)
- Quentin Grimes (December 14)
- RJ Barrett (December 12)
- Obi Tobin (December 11)
- RJ Hampton (December 17)
- Terence Ross (December 17)
- Moe Wagner (December 17)
- Andre Drummond (December 19)
- Shake Melton (December 19)
- George Niang (December 15)
Sacramento Kings
- Marvin Bagley III (December 15)
- Terence Davis (December 15)
- Diaron Fox (December 16)
- Alex Lynn (December 16)
- Louis King (December 16)
- Davion Mitchell (December 17)
Toronto Raptors
- Pascal Siakam (December 18)
- Dalano Banton (December 18)