Adrian Wojnarowski: To be clear on the hypothetical ability for a team to pay a fine for an unvaccinated player to play in a marketplace that local ordinances forbid: NBA memo to organizations on September 1 says that teams must follow local laws and players who don’t comply won’t be able to play.
More on Coronavirus
Chris Haynes: Minnesota Timberwolves say beginning Jan. 16 fans will be required to wear face covering inside Target Center. And effective Jan. 30 fans will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative test administered by health professional within 72 hours of the game.
The Brooklyn Nets guard was asked about the matter by the reporters and gave his very clear view of the situation, explaining that rules should apply to everyone. "Yeah, I believe so. I won an Olympic medal and quarantined in a hotel for two weeks", Mills said.
Eric Walden: Norvel Pelle is OUT. Joe Ingles is AVAILABLE.
Ryan Miller: Hassan Whiteside has entered health and safety protocols.
Mike Singer: Will Barton will be out tonight due to health and safety protocols, I’m told.
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey said he had a positive test Sunday morning, which surprised him because he had no symptoms. He tested negative again Sunday afternoon and yesterday. "Luckily I was vaccinated, boosted and hopefully that took effect. Unfortunate situation."
Tony Jones: Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay are both out tomorrow night in health and safety protocols. Jared Butler, Udoka Azubuike and Malik Fitts and Elijah Hughes are also out Joe Ingles is questionable
Rob Schaefer: Alex Caruso’s cycling numbers are moving in right direction, but he still hasn’t cleared protocols, per Billy Donovan. Once Caruso is cleared, team will gauge how much conditioning ramp-up he needs. Caruso only had mild symptoms, but Bulls entering a 4-game-in-5-nights stretch
Scott Agness: Caris LeVert and Goga Bitadze have exited health and safety protocols. They are listed as questionable for Wednesday vs Celtics. Chris Duarte (personal reasons) is also questionable.
Noah Levick: Injury report for Sixers-Hornets: -Seth Curry questionable with left ankle soreness, Tobias Harris probable with right shoulder pain -Shake Milton still out with a back contusion -Tyrese Maxey not listed
Quinton Mayo: Bradley Beal entered the health and safety protocol due to an inconclusive test, sources tell me.
Neil Dalal: Bradley Beal will need two consecutive negative tests in a 24 hour span to exit health and safety protocols, per Wes Unseld Jr. In theory that means he will be out again tomorrow vs. Magic at a minimum
Paul Garcia: Thaddeus Young is out of H&S protocols. Landale is probable to play tomorrow per Spurs. White, Jones, Keldon, Vassell, and Doug are in H&S protocols. Collins out due to injury
Dave McMenamin: Russell Westbrook missed Tuesday’s practice because of minor cold-like symptoms, according to a Lakers spokesman. Westbrook tested negative for COVID-19 and will meet the team at the airport for their flight to Sacramento.
Kyle Goon: David Fizdale and Mike Penberthy have missed a few games in the COVID-19 protocols; Frank Vogel says both were cleared and in practice today.
Shams Charania: Wizards‘ Bradley Beal has re-entered health and safety protocols and is listed out vs. Thunder tonight.
Josh Robbins: In their updated injury report, the Wizards have listed Bradley Beal as in the NBA's health-and-safety protocols and out for tonight's game against the Thunder. Beal missed 3 games from Dec. 23-28 in the protocols; when he returned, he said the absence was due to contact tracing.
Harrison Wind: Nuggets have upgraded Will Barton (health and safety protocols) to questionable tonight against the Clippers.
JD Shaw: Pistons head coach Dwane Casey has exited the NBA’s health and safety protocols after registering two straight negative COVID-19 tests, the team says. His initial test is believed to be a false-positive.
James Ham: League source confirms that Richaun Holmes has cleared health and safety protocols. He is doubtful for tomorrow, but return is on the horizon.
Marc Stein: The Mavericks say Kristaps Porzingis remains in the league's health and safety protocols and will not play Wednesday at New York against his old team. More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com
Sarah K. Spencer: McMillan spoke about how hard it was to be disconnected from the team, with him/players out in protocols: "Extremely (tough). I’ve never had to go through anything like that. To coach during this time with COVID, some of my guys, it’s been close to a month since I’ve seen them."
Sarah K. Spencer: Gorgui Dieng has cleared health and safety protocols. He was the only remaining Hawks player in protocols after the team's outbreak, and is now back with the team.
Sarah K. Spencer: Nate McMillan is officially out of health and safety protocols, I'm told. He is coaching Hawks practice today.
Scott Agness: Chris Duarte returned home to Indy for a personal matter. He was expecting his baby daughter to be born any day. Torrey Craig is available after exiting covid protocols. Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) is out.
Kellan Olson: Cam Johnson is listed as out for the Suns tomorrow against the Toronto Raptors due to a left ankle sprain. Landry Shamet is out of health and safety protocols and is probable. Ish Wainright is now in the protocols and out. Justin Jackson is also out (not with team).
Chase Hughes: As expected, Montrezl Harrell will return tomorrow against the Thunder, the Wizards just announced. He had missed some time due to health and safety protocols.
Rod Boone: Kelly Oubre has been placed in health and safety protocols and is out for tonight's game against Milwaukee. Tough blow for the #Hornets. Makes their rematch with the Bucks that much more difficult, obviously. He has been playing really well.
Michael Singer: Can confirm @Shams Charania reporting: Barton has entered protocols, James Ennis will be signed to a 10-day COVID exception, and DeMarcus Cousins, later this week, will likely sign on a 10-day injury exception. One more: #Nuggets assistant Popeye Jones has entered H&S protocols.
Adam Spolane: Usman Garuba is out of Health and Safety Protocols Eric Gordon is out tonight with right groin tightness
Shams Charania: Pistons head coach Dwane Casey has entered health and safety protocols, team says. Assistant coach Rex Kalamian will assume acting head coaching duties for tonight’s game vs. Utah.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland Trail Blazers guard Norman Powell has entered the league's Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. Portland is already playing without guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum now.
Quinton Mayo: Hearing that Washington Wizards center Montrezl Harrel (health and safety protocol) will not return to the floor tonight against the Orlando Magic. Looks like he’ll clear protocol for Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Michael Singer: Little bit more news: #Nuggets coach Michael Malone traveled with the team to OKC today and is expected to coach tomorrow's game, source says. He missed four games due to health and safety. Popeye Jones went 2-2 in his absence.
Josh Robbins: The Wizards are listing Davis Bertans (foot sprain), Rui Hachimura (return to competition conditioning) and Montrezl Harrell (health and safety protocols) as questionable to play Sunday in Orlando. Thomas Bryant (knee recovery) and Anthony Gill (protocols) are listed as out.
Anthony Chiang: Gabe Vincent has cleared protocols, but he is not with the team for tonight’s game in Phoenix. Marcus Garrett is now the only Heat player remaining in protocols.
Eric Nehm: During his pregame availability, Darvin Ham confirmed that Jrue Holiday has exited the health and safety protocols. But he did suffer a left ankle injury against the Raptors. Ham was not sure if Holiday would be able to play Monday in Charlotte.
Sarah K. Spencer: Assistant coach Chris Jent has cleared health and safety protocols and he will act as head coach for the Hawks tomorrow vs. the Clippers. Nate McMillan is still in protocols.
Adrian Wojnarwoski: Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has entered Covid protocols, team says. He's the 14th NBA head coach to do so this season.
I know it’s not the NBA’s call and I know it’s not the greatest of Covid downsides, but still: Isn’t this dumb? Isn’t this useless? Shouldn’t we say as much? I can tell you that people within the NBA are talking like this. It’s happening among the players, in basketball ops and with the trainers. Most are tired of what they see as Covid Kabuki.
Gerald Bourguet: Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and JaVale McGee are no longer listed on the Suns’ injury report. Landry Shamet and Abdel Nader remain in health and safety protocols, while Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric are still out as well
Tim Reynolds: And Udonis Haslem has cleared protocols.
Paul Garcia: Tre Jones has entered H&S protocols. Lonnie and Cacok are available tonight per Spurs
Jason Anderson: Nuggets forward Petr Cornelie has entered NBA health and safety protocols. He is out for tonight's game against the Kings.
Adrian Wojnarowski: After missing nearly a month with a knee injury and Covid, Trail Blazers center Cody Zeller is expected to return to the lineup vs. Cleveland tonight, sources tell ESPN. Zeller has averaged 5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24 games this season.
Tim Bontemps: The Mavericks say Jason Kidd has entered the health and safety protocols, and that assistant Sean Sweeney will coach the team in his place tonight against the Rockets.
Brad Townsend: Jason Kidd confirms that he tested positive for COVID-19. “I feel fine, feels like I’ve got a cold, but my test came back positive. Kidd says he’s in Houston with the team, learned of his positive test last night.
Sarah K. Spencer: Per Joe Prunty, John Collins, Bogi and Jalen Johnson (all of whom are coming back from COVID) will be game-time decisions for tonight vs. the Lakers. Trae Young (low back contusion) will be a game-time decision as well.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The NBA is extending the post-holiday Covid testing plan an additional week because of the ongoing case surge, sources tell ESPN. Also: Players eligible for booster but not boosted will have daily testing extended through the All-Star break.
Neil Dalal: Wizards injury report at Bulls Montrezl Harrell (health and safety protocols) is questionable Davis Bertans (left foot sprain) is doubtful Rui Hachimura (not with team, reconditioning) and Thomas Bryant (ACL recovery) are out Spencer Dinwiddie and Aaron Holiday are available
Harrison Wind: Aaron Gordon and Bones Hyland are probable tomorrow vs. Kings with non-COVID illnesses. Zeke Nnaji and Jeff Green (health and safety protocols) are questionable.
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey said Isaiah Stewart will play tonight
Noah Levick: Sixers-Spurs injury report: Danny Green (left calf tightness) and Isaiah Joe ("right side of back pain") are questionable. Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed, Jaden Springer (H&S protocols) and Shake Milton (back contusion) are still out. Matisse Thybulle isn't listed.
Devin Vassell: F*** Covid!🤦🏽♂️
Shams Charania: Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has entered health and safety protocols, team says.
Rod Beard: #Pistons Frank Jackson has entered the health and safety protocols, and Isaiah Stewart is cleared from return to reconditioning protocols, clearing the way for him to play tonight at #Grizzlies.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Spurs already had Doug McDermott and Lonnie Walker IV in Covid protocols.
Charlotte Hornets PR: INJURY UPDATE: @Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington and guard Scottie Lewis (return from H&S protocols) listed as questionable, have been upgraded and are available tonight vs DET. #AllFly
Shams Charania: Hawks forward John Collins has cleared health and safety protocols and is expected to join the team in Los Angeles, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Atlanta plays the Lakers on Friday and Clippers on Sunday.
Brooklyn will finally have their “big three” on the court for the first time this season tonight when Kyrie Irving makes his debut in Indiana. The 29-year old point guard is only eligible to play in road games that do not take place in New York or Toronto. The ten-year veteran adds a whole different dimension to the lethal offense that the Nets can put on the floor. Brooklyn has two MVPs that are capable of taking over in late-game situations, but neither Kevin Durant nor James Harden can drive the lane and finish at the rim as well as Irving. His touch and body control makes him one of the most elite finishers in the game.
Irving presumably will regain his place in the starting lineup ahead of Patty Mills, who was blanked Monday night against the Grizzlies, including 0-for-5 from long distance, after mostly filling in capably since Joe Harris underwent ankle surgery in late November.
Jay Allen: Billups says Larry Nance Jr. had an inconclusive test. That's why he's listed as doubtful. Nance will need two negative tests in order to play tomorrow night. Billups says he's "hopeful" Nance will be available.
Neil Dalal: Wizards will have their first shootaround (instead of only a masked walkthrough) tomorrow since at Jazz on 12/18. With so many players in health and safety protocols, the Wizards have not been allowed to practice much.
The Sacramento Kings announced this afternoon that Chimezie Metu was the latest player to enter in the league’s health and safety protocols. The news comes just hours ahead of Sacramento’s road contest vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wes Goldberg: Max Strus has exited health and safety protocols and has joined the Heat in Portland. Heat play the Trail Blazers tomorrow night.
Duane Rankin: "It's tough." #Pelicans coach Willie Green on Monty Williams being out under protocols. Said he checked up on Williams during that time and plans to give him "a big hug" and talk to him after the game.
