More on Coronavirus
KC Johnson: Alex Caruso is out of protocols but also listed as out vs. Grizzlies for “return to competition reconditioning.” This is the ramp-up period to which Billy Donovan has been referring. Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball also out, as are Javonte Green, Tyler Cook and Derrick Jones Jr.
Brad Townsend: Porzingis will return tonight, Harrison confirms.
Paul Garcia: "Derrick is available for the first time." - Coach Pop on Derrick White. Poeltl is a game time decision per Pop
Dane Moore: Jordan McLaughlin has entered COVID protocols, the team says. In response, the Timberwolves have elevated McKinley Wright from the G League.
James Edwards III: Frank Jackson is OUT tomorrow against Phoenix as he works his way back from COVID. Rodney McGruder is back with the team but is OUT tomorrow, too.
A significant proportion of people infected with the omicron variant of coronavirus were still contagious when they reach the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s recommended self-isolation exit date of five days, according to a Harvard University study of a small number of cases from the National Basketball Association’s Covid-19 testing program.
Researchers found that among the 70 identified omicron cases detected two or more days after a negative or inconclusive test result, 39% were still infectious after five days, declining to 33% on day six and 22% on day seven. The paper used data from 10,324 PCR tests conducted among NBA players and employees between July 10, 2021, and January 10, 2022.
Shams Charania: Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green has entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Marc Stein: The Mavericks are hopeful Jason Kidd can return to the bench Saturday to resume coaching against Orlando, sources say. Dallas is 3-1 with Kidd in NBA protocols under acting coach Sean Sweeney, ending win streaks for Chicago (9) and Memphis (11). More: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq
Jeff McDonald: Doug McDermott is available for the first time in 2022 after a 13-day stay in health and safety protocols, Pop says. Pop was unsure if McDermott would immediately return to his starting role tonight vs Cavs
Rob Schaefer: Billy Donovan says Alex Caruso still hasn’t cleared protocols and won’t travel on Bulls’ upcoming two-game trip to Boston and Memphis
Rod Boone: Kai Jones has cleared health and safety protocols and is available for tonight's game against Orlando.
Neil Dalal: Bradley Beal (protocols) remains OUT vs. Blazers Davis Bertans (left mid foot sprain) is questionable
Ben Anderson: Rudy Gobert said he was relatively asymptomatic. Mostly cold symptoms, no cough, just wanted to stay in bed and said he was feeling good when he got his positive PCR test.
Shams Charania: Sources: The NBA has informed teams that daily surveillance COVID-19 testing for players, coaches and Tier 1 personnel will not extend beyond Saturday. Individuals will remain subject to testing if symptomatic, exposed or enhanced directive by league office.
KC Johnson: As expected, Bulls officially list Alex Caruso out vs. Warriors. He remains in protocols. Derrick Jones Jr. also obviously out with knee injury.
Duane Rankin: Chris Paul isn't listed on Suns injury report. Paul wasn't at Thursday's practice as he received additional COVID-19 testing. Cam Johnson (ankle) questionable. Ish Wainright (return to competition reconditioning) questionable. #Suns
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.
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.
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
