Dane Moore: Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell will remain in COVID protocols and will not play Sunday’s game in Los Angeles, the team says. Jarred Vanderbilt, however, is out of COVID protocols and is questionable to play on Sunday as he ramps back up.
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Andrew Greif: Brian Shaw said Luke Kennard’s protocols absence happened so recently today that he’s still figuring out how to start tonight in Brooklyn. Shaw also said he’s been in a lot of communication with Ty Lue and credited Lue with allowing him “full rein.”
Tim Reynolds: We're back under 100 players known to be in the NBA protocols, after that number peaked around 125 earlier this week. Trending the right way.
Michael Singer: The #Nuggets didn’t hold shootaround this morning because they needed to register all their negative tests, and the timing of their returned results and the court time didn’t match up.
Andrew Greif: Clippers G Luke Kennard has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, per source.
Rob Schaefer: Chris Fleming said Bulls are “pretty hopeful” Lonzo Ball and Alfonzo McKinnie will be back with team early next week. Nothing definitive on status for games yet Both are out of protocols and reconditioning, according to today’s injury report, but didn’t travel for IND/WAS trip
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sacramento Kings C Richaun Holmes has entered Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. He’s averaged 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Tim Bontemps: The only player out for tomorrow’s game on the Celtics injury report is Enes Freedom, who remains in the protocols. Only other player in them: Jayson Tatum, who is questionable. The only other player on the report is Robert Williams, who is questionable with a big toe sprain.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Denver Nuggets acting coach -- David Adelman -- has entered Covid protocols, leaving the head coaching assignment to assistant Popeye Jones vs. Houston tonight, sources tell ESPN. Adelman had replaced Michael Malone, who is also in Covid protocols.
Marc Stein: The Hawks say Coach Nate McMillan entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols today.
Adrian Wojnarowski: With Nate McMillan and top assistant Chris Jent in Covid protocols, assistant Joe Prunty is next up to become the acting head coach, sources tell ESPN. Hawks play Portland on Tuesday.
Josh Lewenberg: For the first time in 2 weeks, the Raptors don't have anybody in the COVID protocols. Isaac Bonga has been cleared, and DJ Wilson's hardship 10-day expired today. Scottie Barnes (knee) is probable for tomorrow's game vs New York. Raps are nearing full strength.
Another G League referee was called up by the NBA to work a game Saturday, as the league continued finding ways to play through the latest coronavirus outbreak. Sha'Rae Mitchell was assigned the San Antonio-Detroit game. She becomes the fourth G League referee called up in a span of two days -- three others worked games on Friday -- and is now the 15th woman in league history picked to work a regular-season game.
Marc Stein: Luka Dončić is exiting health and safety protocols and expected to meet the Mavs in Oklahoma City for a possible Sunday return to the lineup, league sources say. Dončić has missed 10 games recovering from a left ankle injury and a protocols stint. More: marcstein.substack.com
Tim MacMahon: Mavs are optimistic that Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber will clear health and safety protocols and re-join the team in Oklahoma City, sources tell ESPN. Mavs went 5-5 without Doncic, who was out with sore ankle and then COVID-19. @Marc Stein first on Doncic.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has entered Covid protocols – and rookie Josh Giddey has exited, according to league portal. OKC plays Dallas on Sunday.
Tommy Beer: Knicks announce Mitchell Robinson (health and safety) and Kemba Walker (sore left knee) have been ruled out for tomorrow’s game vs. the Raptors. Evan Fournier is questionable
Shams Charania: Spurs‘ Doug McDermott has entered health and safety protocols.
Rod Beard: It looks like #Pistons Cory Joseph is in health and safety protocols again. His designation had switched to "return to competition reconditioning" yesterday. All the DET players who were in protocols are still listed as OUT for tonight vs. #Spurs ... at least for now.
Mike McGraw: Also, according to the injury report, Lonzo Ball and Alfonzo McKinnie are out of health & safety protocols; listed as out today for return to conditioning. Sounds like they might return Mon vs. Orlando. #Bulls
Adrian Wojnarowski: San Antonio Spurs guard Lonnie Walker has entered the league's Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. He's out vs. Detroit tonight.
Mike Trudell: Frank Vogel said Trevor Ariza, Austin Reaves and Kent Bazemore are all available coming out of protocols.
Kyle Goon: Frank Vogel said he didn’t have too severe symptoms, but that would not classify them as “mild.” He said his experience with COVID-19 lingered.
Mike Trudell: Vogel said that his case wasn’t mild, he was definitely sick, but he’s now feeling good, and is excited to be back. He stayed at a hotel so as not to expose his wife and daughters, who made him Christmas Eve dinner that he picked up. They did Christmas morning on FaceTime.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Starting today with the Clippers game, Toronto home games will be limited to 1,000 spectators at Scotiabank Arena, made in accordance with health authorities. Brian Shaw said, "I don't think anything is weird anymore" after all that everyone has been through during pandemic.
Paul Garcia: "If he continues to do as well as he's doing, he will join us at some point on the trip." - Coach Pop on Dejounte Murray, who is currently in health and safety protocols.
Harrison Wind: Another Nuggets player in health and safety protocols: Monte Morris He joins Jeff Green, Bones Hyland and Zeke Nnaji. All four are all out tomorrow against the Rockets, the team says.
Anthony Chiang: Erik Spoelstra is optimistic that the Heat will get players back sooner than expected with the NBA shortening the return-to-play quarantine to five days for those in protocols.
Anthony Slater: Draymond Green isn’t expected to return for the Warriors tomorrow in Utah against the Jazz, but Steve Kerr said there’s hope of possible return when Warriors get back home. Still hasn’t cleared protocols.
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate has cleared health and safety protocols and is available to play against the Heat tonight. Heat guard Kyle Lowry also moved from out to available.
Omari Sanfoka II: Casey said the players in health and safety protocols are allowed to work out at the facility with one ball, on one rim, alone. Cade worked out last night.
Alex Schiffer: Kessler Edwards has cleared health and safety protocols and is available tomorrow against the Clippers. Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris are the only Nets out.
Ira Winderman: Kyle Lowry is out of protocols and listed as available to play tonight for Heat in Houston.
Andrew Lopez: Jonas Valanciunas has entered health and safety protocols, Willie Green says. Herb Jones was a close contact but will be good to go tomorrow.
Joe Mussatto: Aleksej Pokusevski is out of health and safety protocols. He’ll be available tonight against the Knicks.
Andrew Greif: Update to Clippers' availability before today's game in Toronto: Tyronn Lue has entered the league's health and safety protocols. Brian Shaw is acting head coach, the team says.
Mike Ganter: Scottie Barnes listed as questionable for tonight with right knee tendinitis and now DJ Wilson joins the health and safety protocols list. Can't get away from it.
Dave McMenamin: Frank Vogel has cleared health and safety protocols and will coach the Lakers against the Blazers tonight, according to the team
Tony East: Carlisle says that the Pacers are in the process of adding replacement players. They have 5 guys in health and safety protocols now, so they need 4 replacement guys at a minimum. Nate Hinton is the first one. Carlisle expects 11 guys to be available today for the Pacers.
Tony East: Kelan Martin has tested positive for COVID-19. He has entered health and safety protocols.
Shams Charania: Wizards hardship guard Brad Wanamaker has entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Wanamaker had seven points, seven assists and five rebounds in Washington’s win vs. Cavaliers last night.
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: The NBA and NBPA have agreed on new protocols that would allow Covid-positive players to clear isolation after five days if “CT values” are above 30. That lowers threshold from seven days and CT values above 35.
Shams Charania: Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and replacement player Brandon Williams have entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Chris Haynes: Toronto Raptors will not host fans at Scotiabank Arena for at least the next three weeks starting Dec. 31. pic.twitter.com/PwSy8IWGSh
Anthony Chiang: The Heat has canceled this evening’s practice in Houston.
Shams Charania: Washington Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie has entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium .
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Pacers have new cases, including Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson entering Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN.
As the omicron variant rips through NBA players and coaches, it has reached a season-high among game officials: 36% of the league's referees are in COVID-19 protocols, sources told ESPN on Thursday. With 25 of the league's 70 active referees currently in quarantine, the league's been promoting G League referees to fill out the nightly roster of games, sources said.
There have been rare instances lately when only two referees -- instead of the standard three -- were available for games, but the NBA has continued to work to limit those occasions, sources said. The NBA G League has paused the season until Wednesday to allow for players and referees to be available to the NBA.
NBA referees are 100% vaccinated and are required to be fully boosted prior to Wednesday, sources said. Only a percentage of refs currently on road-trips haven't been boosted, but must do by Wednesday. Officials don't have the protections that teams do with charter flights and five-star hotels, but the NBA has been working with the National Basketball Referees Association on improvements related to travel -- including hotels -- that might serve to lessen exposure to the virus, sources said.
Omari Sanfoka II: No update on Cade Cunningham's status
Chase Hughes: Wizards' latest injury report has Beal, KCP and Gill listed as questionable. Hachimura, Neto, Harrell and Holiday remain out.
Justin Grasso: Danny Green remains out for tomorrow's game vs. #Nets Shake Milton has been upgraded to questionable and Andre Drummond has been cleared to play #Sixers
Jason Anderson: Sacramento Kings rookie guard Davion Mitchell has cleared NBA health and safety protocols. Rookie center Neemias Queta is still out.
Andrew Greif: Clippers G Reggie Jackson has cleared health and safety protocols and is rejoining team in Boston tonight but won’t play, sources told @latimessports. While there is hope he can be available at Toronto and Brooklyn, reconditioning is the next step after entering protocols 12/22.
Adrian Wojnarowski: This is the 10th NBA game postponed this season. Miami had a combination of Covid cases and injuries that left them short of eight available players.
Shams Charania: Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic and replacement guard Brandon Knight have entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dallas is planning to sign Isaiah Thomas to a hardship deal.
Tommy Beer: Knicks bigs Nerlens Noels and Jericho Sims remain out for tonight's game vs. Detroit. The Pistons have ruled out the following players due to Health and Safety Protocols: Cade Cunningham Isaiah Stewart Josh Jackson Killian Hayes Saben Lee Trey Lyles Rodney McGruder Cory Joseph
Kristian Winfield: Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving’s conditioning: “He looks great CONSIDERING he just came back from protocols.” Nash said Irving looks as good as he’s ever looked given the circumstances.
Kristian Winfield: Nets rookie Cam Thomas is back in the health and safety protocols, the Nets say.
Shams Charania: Sources: The NBA is adopting CDC guidance of five-day isolation exit for coronavirus-positive individuals — outside of team environment. For return to team activities, players must isolate for six days and meet testing requirements, or register two negative tests. After five-day isolation, positive players who are masked can now return to their team’s home market via commercial flight, interact in person with individuals in community, and enter indoor settings/establishments that are not the facility.
“No, I don’t have a response to Kareem at all,” James said. “And if you saw the post and you read the tag, you’re literally, honestly asking, ‘Help me out?’ Help me kind of figure it all out. We’re all trying to figure this pandemic out. We’re all trying to figure out COVID and the new strains and the flu. I think people forgot about the flu. People literally forgot about the flu during these times. Like, that’s still going around. This is flu season. So people have forgotten about the flu. People have forgotten about common colds. That happen, especially with a lot of our kids that are in school. My daughter is in first grade so a lot of these kids are getting common colds and getting the flu. “But, no. I don’t have any response to Kareem.”
Connor Letourneau: Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala are good to go tonight.
Jason Anderson: Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry says he thinks Davion Mitchell will be cleared to return tomorrow.
Ira Winderman: Max Strus just entered health and safety protocols. He is out tonight.
Joe Mussatto: Thunder assistant Dave Bliss is also in health and safety protocols. Bliss previously filled in for Mark Daigneault when Daigneault was away for the birth of his child. With both Daigneault and Bliss out, Mike Wilks is stepping in as head coach tonight.
Kyle Goon: David Fizdale said that he can say that Austin Reaves, who is past the 10-day mark of isolation, is “close” to returning, and there was discussion about the possibility he could join the Lakers on the trip. However as of now he’s still in LA and in the protocols system.
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff said Isaac Okoro is available tonight.
Anthony Chiang: Spoelstra on potentially getting Lowry back sooner than expected with NBA's shorter quarantine period: "He is part of this new category of either super minor symptoms or asymptomatic. Then it's just a matter of testing and if he can get to a certain level."
Ava Wallace: Bradley Beal has received a covid-19 vaccine, according to multiple sources. He remains in health & safety protocols and will not play in Miami tonight.
Josh Lewenberg: While 11 of the Raptors' 16 players have been in COVID protocols this month (all of them fully vaccinated), Nurse notes that none have experienced more than minor symptoms. "I'm confident that once this thing passes this week we should be OK and get up to speed pretty quickly."
Fred VanVleet: Can’t wait to get back with the guys again 🙏🏽 trying to make sense of all the protocols but it is what it is! Feeling good see you soon. Let’s go @Toronto Raptors
Marc Berman: Anthony Edwards had workout this afternoon but still not ready for tonight. Patrick Beverley will play.
Dane Moore: Naz Reid has cleared COVID protocols and will play tonight against New York, says Chris Finch
Keith Pompey: There’s a good chance that #Sixers reserves Shake Milton and Andre Drummond could return in time for Thursday’s game at the #Nets. Tomorrow is Day 10 of their quarantine. But their return will depend on conditioning.
Tim MacMahon: John Konchar has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the Grizzlies announce. Konchar played well as a full-in starter in Memphis’ last two games.
