Magic coach Steve Clifford will miss tonight’s game against the Pacers after mixed results in his recent COVID-19 tests, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Clifford may be away from the team for multiple games while he remains under the league’s health and safety protocols, Woj adds.
Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will take over the team until Clifford returns (Twitter link). Corbin has head coaching experience with the Jazz and Kings and owns a 119-167 career record.
Clifford told reporters Saturday night that his coronavirus test on Thursday came back positive. He submitted two negative tests on Friday, but had another positive result on Saturday morning. He was tested again last night and is scheduled to undergo another today.
Clifford added that he feels fine and isn’t exhibiting any symptoms of the virus. He said the team has been in an enhanced protocol since an official tested positive after Tuesday’s game against the Hawks.
The 59-year-old coach got his second dose of the Moderna vaccine on Thursday, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. However, he won’t be considered “fully vaccinated” until two weeks after his final shot, according to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I feel comfortable that I’m not really in danger,” Clifford said. “That with the fact that my temperature, my oxidation numbers, how I feel, I have no side effects right now, I’m very comfortable with that.”
The Magic (1-9 in their last 10) seem to have missed several games as well
Mixed results? Seems like Clifford’s on load management to preserve the tank. For Walt’s city this is no fairytale ending…