Jones is fifth Bulls player in 9 days to enter protocols
The Chicago Bulls are down to 11 players as they travel to Florida for Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat after Derrick Jones Jr. on Thursday became the fifth player to enter NBA COVID-19 protocol in the last nine days.
The Bulls have not gone more than two days in nearly two weeks without a player entering the COVID-19 protocol — Coby White (Dec. 1), Javonte Green (Friday), Demar Derozan (Sunday), Matt Thomas (Tuesday) and now Jones.
The Bulls’ COVID-19 concerns began Nov. 11, when center Nikola Vucevic missed seven games after testing positive.
With nearly one-third of the team in mandated isolation, the Bulls are caught in a full-on COVID-19 outbreak — and it’s unclear when the team will come up for air.
“I don’t know when or who is coming back on what dates,” coach Billy Donovan said. “My feeling right now (is) we’re going into Miami with the same group.”
The Bulls have confirmed only that White and Green tested positive. The other three players’ statuses are unclear.
Pelicans have four players unavailable
Just as New Orleans was welcoming a key member of its rotation back into the lineup Wednesday vs. Denver, it lost a separate player to a major injury. Josh Hart returned to the Pelicans to play in his first game in nine days, but Kira Lewis Jr. exited the matchup with the Nuggets due to injury. He was later determined to have a torn ACL in his right knee, as well as an MCL sprain. As a result, Lewis is sidelined indefinitely. He will be listed as out on New Orleans’ official injury report, as was the case Thursday ahead of Friday’s home game vs. Detroit.
Also listed as out for New Orleans are Daulton Hommes (G League assignment/right fibular stress fracture), Didi Louzada (league suspension) and Zion Williamson (right foot fracture).
Pacers, Raptors cut practices over virus
The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors canceled their Thursday practices in precautionary moves, citing the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Both teams made the announcements on Twitter.
Pacers guard Justin Holiday has not played since entering the protocol on Nov. 30 and team officials have not yet said whether anyone else has been ruled out. Indiana is scheduled to host Dallas on Friday.