San Antonios’ game in New Orleans was called off Monday night in the latest virus-related postponement for the NBA, which came when the league determined that neither team would have enough players available.
As has been the case with most of the other games that have been postponed, contact tracing was cited as the cause. But instead of involving just one team as has been the case for each of the previous seasons 21 postponements until Monday, this one involved both clubs.
Due to the ongoing contact tracing within Spurs and Pelicans, neither team has the eight available players required by the league to continue with the scheduled game, the NBA said, sending the announcement less than two hours before. the expected time of the prognosis.
San Antonio became the 24th team to have at least one game postponed so far this season due to the virus. Spurs played in Washington a team that spent 13 days between games because of six players testing positive for COVID-19 and three others running out of time because contact tracing suggested they may have been exposed to the virus Sunday night.
Of the 22 postponements this season, 21 have been made since January 10.
The cancellation of the Spurs-Pelicans game wasn’t the only bad news for the NBA on Monday on the virus front. The Los Angeles Clippers have ruled out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta in accordance with league health and safety protocols.
One person familiar with the situation said Leonard and George may be able to return at some point during the Clippers’ four-game road trip, depending on what the NBA decides about their situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor the league have spoken about the cases publicly.
Also on Monday, the Boston Celtics said Jayson Tatum will play for the first time since Jan. 8 in their game in Chicago.
The Celtics are due to travel to San Antonio on Wednesday. The uncertainty surrounding Spurs is now putting this game in jeopardy.
I think we shouldn’t be flying there until we know it, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. This is the bottom line. It’s my only thought that crosses my mind with all the trips we have to come.
Memphis’ home game against Sacramento, scheduled for Monday, was postponed last week, and Wednesday’s Grizzlies game in Chicago was also called off. The Grizzlies are up to six deferrals, tying Washington for the most part in the NBA.
Depending on the Spurs’ situation, Memphis’s layoff may lengthen. The Grizzlies are scheduled to play in San Antonio on Saturday.
The Pelicans have upcoming home games against Washington on Wednesday, Milwaukee on Friday and Houston on Saturday.
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AP Sports writers Andrew Seligman in Chicago and Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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