NBA postpones 5 games over COVID-19 outbreak
2 Min Read
As the NBA faces surging COVID-19 numbers, the league cancels several games, making for a total of seven games canceled this season.
-
The floor is wiped down during halftime of the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons preseason game at Capital One Arena on December 19, 2020 (Reuters)
The NBA postponed Sunday five games involving nine teams in light of the surge in COVID-19 cases, which makes for a total of seven games postponed this season.
The games called off included three Sunday games and two Monday games.
According to the NBA, the Sunday games postponed were Denver at Brooklyn, Cleveland at Atlanta, and New Orleans at Philadelphia. The Monday games called off were Orlando at Toronto and Washington at Brooklyn.
The NBA has announced the following: pic.twitter.com/rnNhuq0hc1
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 19, 2021
The postponements came the same day that Atlanta announced guard Trae Young entered the NBA's health and safety protocols, and the Los Angeles Lakers said coach Frank Vogel had also been added to the list.
The NBA has not said when the games would be made up. Last season, COVID-19 led to the postponement of more than 30 games.
Dozens of NBA players have either tested positive to COVID-19 or had been exposed to someone who has.
"It is what it is. Just trying to stay safe as possible and that’s all you can do," Lakers guard Russell Westbrook said of the NBA's rising numbers.
Brooklyn is one of the most heavily impacted by COVID-19, as it has 10 players and numerous staff members in the league's health and safety protocols.
Brooklyn's list of players in protocols includes Kevin Durant, James Harden, and, despite being unable to play, Kyrie Irving, who has sat out all season for not complying with New York City's vaccine mandate.
