BOSTON – Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole and Boston Celtics big men Al Horford and Grant Williams entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols ahead of Friday night’s game. between the two teams.
In addition to the Friday morning announcements, the Celtics said Thursday night that forward Jabari Parker had entered protocols.
Both teams canceled their target practice on Friday morning before the game and then announced their respective entries in the protocols, as activity increased over the past few days. According to the league’s latest injury report as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, the 16 teams that played Friday night had a total of 20 players on the protocols.
The 22-year-old Poole is having a landmark season for the Warriors, averaging 17.9 points per game, the highest of his career, as a starter in the 28 games Golden State has played this season as they await the return of Klay Thompson from injury.
Horford, who tested positive for COVID-19 in October, is averaging 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds this season for Boston, which acquired him from the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer in exchange for Kemba Walker and the 16th pick in the NBA draft from July. It’s Horford’s second stint with Boston, having signed with the Celtics as a free agent in 2016 and spent three seasons with the team before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.
Williams has become a consistent member of Boston’s rotation this season, averaging career highs of 7.5 points and 45.3% shooting from 3 points in more than three attempts per game.
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