Raptors to have five players out
The Toronto Raptors will have enough players to get back on the floor Wednesday, after a pair of games earlier this week were postponed for virusrelated issues.
But the Raptors will be seriously shorthanded when they host the Detroit Pistons in Tampa, Fla. — with starters Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby all ruled out in accordance with the league’s health and safety protocols, along with Malachi Flynn and former Warriors guard Patrick McCaw.
Also still out: head coach Nick Nurse, who entered the protocols last week along with five other members of his staff. Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo, who led Toronto to a win in its most recent game Friday, will remain in the acting head coach role Wednesday.
“It’s been a tough couple of days,” general manager Bobby Webster said. “To get to here and be able to practice, we had to clear a number of hurdles.”
Webster indicated that the players who will be sidelined Wednesday aren’t expected back Thursday at Boston.
The Raptors’ games against Chicago on Sunday and Detroit on Tuesday were pushed back, bringing the league’s total number of games moved because at least one team would not have enough players eligible to play this season to 31. The Wednesday game between Toronto and Detroit is a makeup of the Tuesday matchup.
The only teams that have not had a game postponed by virus issues this season are the Nets, Clippers and Lakers.
Celtics 117, Clippers 112: Kemba Walker had 25 points and six assists, and host Boston took advantage of a late scratch of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and held off Los Angeles. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points. The Clippers, who have lost five of eight, played without Leonard after he was ruled out shortly before the game due to back spasms. Paul George led Los Angeles with 32 points.
Hawks 94, Heat 80: Trae Young scored 18 points, including 13 straight for his team in the fourth quarter, and visiting Atlanta snapped Miami’s six-game winning streak. Miami missed a chance to get over .500 for the first time this season.
Suns 114, Lakers 104: Visiting Phoenix survived Devin Booker’s ejection in the third quarter for two quick technical fouls, with Dario Saric scoring 21 points to lead five players in double figures for the Suns. LeBron James scored 38 points for the Lakers.
Nuggets 128, Bucks 97: Nikola Jokic had 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his ninth triple-double of the season, and visiting Denver trounced Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and eight rebounds for Milwaukee.
Grizzlies 125, Wizards 111: Ja Morant had 35 points and 10 assists, De’Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks each added 20 points, and visiting Memphis beat Washington. Russell Westbrook had 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, but had eight turnovers.
Spurs 119, Knicks 83: Trey Lyles scored a season-high 18 points, Dejounte Murray added 17 and host San Antonio ended New York’s threegame winning streak. Patty Mills and Luka Samanic each adding 14 points in the Spurs’ seventh straight home victory over New York.