The 2021-22 NBA season is being bombarded with the newest COVID-19 variant causing mayhem within multiple teams that have been forced to cancel practices, postpone games and sign emergnecy hardship exemptions while outbreaks are navigated among several teams.
In the first six weeks of the season, 16 players were placed into the league’s COVID health and safety protocols, which sideline any player that tests positive for COVID-19 for a minimum of 10 days. In December alone, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that over 50 players and multiple staffers missing time in health and safety protocols.
On Friday, the League and the NBAPA agreed new COVID-19 protocols that include to increased testing and mask usage through the holiday season for two weeks starting on December 26..
A game will only be postponed if a team cannot meet the requirement of haveing eight players availiable to play. Thus far, only the two games have been postponed, Bulls-Pacers and Bulls-Raptors, with the Bulls-Lakers game being pushed back to 7 p.m. on Sunday to allow additional testing to happen. A tactic the NBA utilizied frequently last year when officials postponed 31 games.
Notable players currently sidelined due to protocols include Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden in addition to All-Stars like LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Dwight Howard, Zach LaVine and Paul Millsap.
Below is the list of players currently in the League’s health and safety protocols.
NBA players in COVID health and safety protocols
Boston Celtics (four players)
- Juancho Hernangomez
- Al Horford
- Jabari Parker
- Grant Williams
Brooklyn Nets (seven players)
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- DeAndre Bembry
- Bruce Brown
- Jevon Carter
- James Harden
- James Johnson
- Paul Millsap
Chicago Bulls (seven players)
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Alize Johnson
- Stanley Johnson
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Zach LaVine
- Matt Thomas
Cleveland Cavaliers (one player)
Denver Nuggets (one player)
Golden State Warriors (one player)
Indiana Pacers (head coach)
Los Angeles Lakers (five players)
- Talen Horton-Tucker
- Dwight Howard
- Avery Bradley
Memphis Grizzlies (one player)
Miami Heat (one player)
Milwaukee Bucks (four players)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Wesley Matthews
- Bobby Portis
Minnesota Timberwolves (two players)
- Anthony Edwards
- Taurean Prince
New York Knicks (five players)
- RJ Barrett
- Quentin Grimes
- Kevin Knox II
- Obi Toppin
- Immanuel Quickley
Orlando Magic (three players)
- RJ Hampton
- Terrence Ross
- Mo Wagner
Philadelphia 76ers (one player)
Sacramento Kings (four players, head coach)
- Marvin Bagley III
- De’Aaron Fox
- Alex Len
- Louis King
- Alvin Gentry
- Davion Mithcell
