More COVID-19 issues for NBA

The Suns are now the latest NBA team to deal with contact tracing issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, and their game Wednesday against the Hawks was called off by the league after it was learned they wouldn’t have enough players cleared to participate.

The NBA also revealed Wednesday that 16 players — by far the most in a one-week period since training camps started — returned positive COVID-19 tests between Jan. 6 and Tuesday. With 497 players tested, that reflects a positivity rate of 3.2%.

In the previous five weeks combined, only 15 players were positive.

That Suns-Hawks game was the third on Wednesday’s schedule to be called, joining the Jazz-Wizards and Magic-Celtics. It also marks the second consecutive time that a team ran into issues after playing in Washington; the Heat lost eight players to COVID-related issues following their road game against the Wizards on Saturday.

Also not playing Wednesday: Zion Williamson, ruled out by the Pelicans for their road game against the Clippers because of the league’s protocols.

That doesn’t mean Williamson tested positive and simply could mean he was potentially exposed to someone who has.

Friday’s Wizards-Pistons and Warriors Suns matchups also were called off.

Nine games this season and eight since Sunday have been postponed due to health and safety protocols.

„ Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut Wednesday against the Hornets. Porzingis underwent surgery in October to address a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee.

College basketball: UConn G James Bouknight will be out indefinitely after having surgery Tuesday on his left elbow. Bouknight, who had been the Big East’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game, missed the 25th-ranked Huskies last two contests . ... No. 22 Oregon postponed its game against Arizona State (Thursday) and Arizona (Saturday) due to COVID-19 issues within the Ducks program.

NFL: Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire practiced for the first time since suffering ankle and hip injuries in Week 15, but his status remained unclear for Sunday’s AFC playoff game against the Browns.

NHL: G Sergei Bobrovsky practiced with the Panthers for the first time since training camp began Jan. 3. Bobrovsky had been on the “unfit to play” list. That term covers anyone who didn’t participate in camp for any reason, whether it was injury or something related to COVID-19. Bobrovsky may not be available for the team’s season opener against the Stars, but the two-time Vezina Trophy winner said he expects to be ready after “a few more practices.”

Also: Aryna Sabalenka claimed her third straight WTA title, topping Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-2 to win the season-opening Abu Dhabi Open . ... Klete Keller, a two-time U.S. Olympic swimming gold medalist, was charged for allegedly participating in last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Keller, 38, was charged with obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct. All are federal crimes.