Coach Clifford tests positive for COVID-19
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford has tested positive for COVID-19. Although he does not expect to coach in Sunday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, he said he’s asymptomatic and feeling fine.
Sunday’s game tips off at 8 p.m. with a live broadcast on Bally Sports Florida to start the Magic’s final home back-to-back set of the season. They are scheduled to play the Lakers on Monday.
Clifford, 59, will need two consecutive negative tests before his return can be considered. He was tested again Saturday afternoon and he will be tested again Sunday morning.
“Personally, I don’t see a way that I’d coach tomorrow night. Monday, maybe,” he told reporters Saturday night. “And I guess if all these tests are negative, it could be a chance before we go on the road. But I think it just depends on the league.
“I totally understand it. It’s frustrating for me, but the league has to do what’s best for the players and for everybody so we can continue to go forward and play the games and we all have to abide by their decisions.”
The Magic were placed under enhanced protocols by the NBA after one
of the officials from Tuesday’s game in Atlanta tested positive. Clifford first tested positive following Thursday’s game against the Pelicans — the same day he received his second Moderna vaccination shot. He self-quarantined at his office and checked his temperature and oxidation levels every two hours. Those levels were fine, he said.
Clifford then said he tested negative twice Friday before his Saturday morning test result came back positive. That forced the Magic to cancel practice. The team had been off Friday.
“I haven’t had any problems at all,” he said. “No temperature, no headaches, nothing. And so I have to say I was shocked today when I went in this morning and my result came back as positive.”
If Clifford remains out for health and safety protocols, he said assistant Tyrone Corbin will handle the head-coaching duties.
Magic center Mo Bamba missed about a week in January due to contact tracing, but otherwise the team has avoided COVID-19 issues.
Orlando (18-41) will look to end a four-game losing streak as it takes on Indiana for the third and final time this season. The Magic played the Pacers close in the two previous meetings, losing 120-118 in overtime and 111-106.
The Magic have lost five of the last eight meetings with the Pacers, and are 5-24 in the past 29 contests overall. Orlando has dropped 10 of the last 12 regular-season games at Amway to Indiana.
The Magic continue to be hampered by injuries. Michael Carter-Williams (sprained ankle) and Otto Porter Jr. (foot pain) are still out of the lineup while Terrence Ross (back spasms) and James Ennis (calf soreness) remain on the mend.
Orlando used a franchise-high 29th different starting lineup of the season during Thursday’s loss to New Orleans as Wendell Carter Jr. was a late scratch because of a sore ankle. He, Ennis and Ross have been listed as questionable for Sunday’s
STEPHEN M. DOWELL/ORLANDO SENTINEL game.