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Much like last year, COVID-19 is having an impact on the current NBA season. A plethora of players from across the league’s landscape have been forced to miss time as a result of being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols after returning a positive test. After a player tests positive, he must isolate away from the team for 10 days or return two negative PCR tests in a 24-hour period before they can get back to action.
Yet unlike last season, the NBA hasn’t had to postpone any games this season due to teams not having enough healthy players available. One team getting dangerously close to having that happen is the Chicago Bulls, who have nine players in protocol, including stars Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. As a result of these absences, the Bulls used a hardship exemption to sign Stanley Johnson and Alfonso McKinnie. However, Johnson is one of the latest Bulls players to land in health and safety protocols. The Charlotte Hornets, also hit hard, have five players in protocols, including reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball,
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Grizzlies star Ja Morant entered the protocols despite already being out indefinitely with a knee sprain. Also joining the list is Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as well as Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri, who had tested positive for COVID. He caught the virus at a Giants of Africa event on Sunday, he said in a statement. Ujiri is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot, but will still be following the league’s protocols and quarantining.
It can be a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help. Below you’ll find a list of all the players currently in the NBA’s protocols, along with how long they’re expected to be out.
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 22Troy Brown Jr., Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 22Precious Achiuwa, Toronto Raptors — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15RJ Barrett, New York Knicks — Out for Sunday’s game vs. Milwaukee BucksObi Toppin, New York Knicks — Out for Sunday’s game vs. Milwaukee BucksJosh Richardson, Boston Celtics — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 22Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 21Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 21Stanley Johnson, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 21Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies — Already sidelined indefinitely with left knee sprainDeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 16LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15
Ish Smith, Charlotte Hornets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15 Mason Plumlee, Charlotte Hornets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15 Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 15 Coby White, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 14
Javonte Green, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 14Austin Rivers, Denver Nuggets — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 8
Justin Holiday, Indiana Pacers — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 10
Matt Thomas, Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 18Derrick Jones Jr., Chicago Bulls — Expected to be out until at least Dec. 20
