12:28 PM: The five players who have entered the protocols are Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard, the Cavaliers announced (via Twitter). Their game with the Hawks Sunday has been postponed due to the outbreak.
11:24 AM: Tonight’s game between the Cavaliers and Hawks is expected to be postponed, league sources tell Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). It would be the third game of the season to be called off, following the Bulls’ games this week against the Pistons and Raptors.
11:21 AM: Center Jarrett Allen is among the five players being placed in the protocols, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Allen has been among the reasons for Cleveland’s turnaround, averaging 16.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 28 games.
10:30 AM: Five Cavaliers tested positive for COVID-19 today and there are concerns that the team may not have eight available players for tonight’s game in Atlanta, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Cleveland is already without Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro, who both entered the protocols this week.
Most players who would be eligible to join the team under the hardship provision are currently in Las Vegas for the G League Showcase, explains Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). Travel issues would make it difficult for any of them to be in Atlanta by game time.
The Cleveland players haven’t been identified yet, but because they tested positive, they will have to spend 10 days in the protocols unless they can submit two consecutive negative tests for the virus at least 24 hours apart. The Cavaliers, one of the season’s early surprises with a 19-12 record, are scheduled to play four times in the next 10 days, including tonight’s game.
Follow all the latest COVID-19 updates in our daily tracker.
Sheesh just shut down the league at this point
They should but I’d be surprised if they do with the loss of TV revenues. Big Christmas games coming up.
richt, you’re probably right. Maybe they’ll shut it down Sunday after Christmas?
Yeah what’s the safety of human lives matter compared to the Christmas Day revenue lol what a world we live in
Players dont want to lose any more income. They lost out too much last two yrs.
Yeah I bet their pockets must really be hurting lol
In all likelihood the NBA figures that with so many players already in protocols, in 2 weeks more than half the league should be safe from those protocols. I’m beginning to wonder how much contact tracing is being over enforced. Seems like most players ending up on the list are not testing positive.
Money is more important than anything else
If Garland’s in protocols Cavs are doomed
Cavs are having a nice season. This sucks