COVID-19 forcing more schedule, lineup tweaks
The Boston Celtics expect their unplanned weeklong hiatus because of coronavirus- related issues to end Friday, when they're scheduled to play host to the Orlando Magic.
The Phoenix Suns, however, have a bit more time off coming.
The Celtics will be without at least three players Friday, including All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, because of the league's health and safety protocols.
But four others are apparently on the cusp of satisfying their leaguemandated time away from the team and are listed as questionable for Friday.
“I don't think there's an easy answer here," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Thursday after the team's first time on the court together since a shootaround for a game Sunday against Miami that ultimately was postponed. “This is a difficult time around the country. This pandemic is as rampant as it's ever been and obviously we're feeling some of that despite the great precautions and great steps we're taking not to."
Meanwhile, the Indiana at Phoenix game scheduled for Saturday has been called off — the ninth such postponement since the week began.
The Suns will not have enough players eligible to play, largely because of contact tracing issues, the NBA said.
Boston had three games that would have been played between Sunday and Wednesday postponed because some players were positive and others were ruled out because contact tracing showed that they could have been exposed to the virus.
Leaguewide, 10 games this season have now been postponed and the NBA was reviewing if more games — including a a Sunday game in Washington — would have to be pushed back.
The Suns and Wizards were both scheduled to play Friday; those games were postponed because of contact-tracing issues.
“If you look at how our league is going, what's happening in our country, I don't think you can be surprised by anything," Magic coach Steve Clifford said.
More tests are likely coming to the NBA, which revealed Wednesday that 16 players tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.
Late Wednesday
BLAZERS 132, KINGS 126:
Damian Lillard scored eight of his season-high 40 points in the final four minutes, and the Portland Trail Blazers tied a franchise record with 23 3-pointers to beat the Sacramento Kings for their fourth straight victory.
Lillard and CJ McCollum led Portland's shooting barrage from behind the arc with six 3s apiece.
Lillard added 13 assists without a turnover, while McCollum had 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic had a season- best 18 points and 13 rebounds.
CLIPPERS 111, PELICANS 106: Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Paul George added 27 and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the short- handed New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans were missing starters Zion
Williamson, Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe.
Together, they account for 46.1 points and 15.6 rebounds per game.
New Orleans coach Stan Van Gundy said Williamson was ruled out because of inconclusive test results.
GRIZZLIES 118, TIMBERWOLVES 107: Jonas Valanciunas had 24 points and 16 rebounds, Grayson Allen scored a season- high 20 off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies came back to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Brandon Clarke added 19 points for Memphis, which outscored Minnesota 38- 17 in the fourth quarter to win its third straight game.
BUCKS 110 , PISTONS 101: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks easily beat the Detroit Pistons for the third time this month.
MAVERICKS 104, HORNETS 93: Luka Doncic had 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a career-high four blocks, Kristaps Porzingis scored 16 points in his return from a knee injury and the Mavericks beat the Charlotte Hornets.
“When both of those guys are out there at the same time it's a game changer for us,” said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who became the 16th coach in NBA history to reach 800 career victories. “They are two guys who can play on the inside and space the court on the outside."
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points for the Mavericks.
They've won four straight after opening 2-4.