The NBA news cycle has been filled with COVID-19 absences early in the 2020-’21 season and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will become the latest player to miss significant time.
Just a day after the Celtics ruled out three players due to COVID-19, with center Robert Williams testing positive for the virus, they will now have to play without their All-Star forward.
NBA news: Tristan Thompson, 2 other Celtics’ players to enter COVID-19 quarantine
NBA news: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum facing two-week quarantine for COVID-19 protocols
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is expected to quarantine for 10-14 days under the NBA’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
The news comes just hours after Tatum led the Celtics to a 116-107 victory over the Washington Wizards. The 22-year-old forward finished with a team-high 32 points, sinking three triples and recording five rebounds.
Boston was already playing short-handed on Friday night, with just nine players appearing against the Wizards. With Tatum set to miss time, along with the existing COVID-cause absences, the Celtics may only have seven players available for Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.
NBA news: Philadelphia 76ers quarantined after starter tests positive for COVID-19
Even more concerning for the NBA, COVID-19 is starting to cause real problems this week. Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry tested positive for the coronavirus during Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. While he was later put into quarantine, the results didn’t come back until he had spent several hours around his teammates and coaches.
Coming into the season, the league knew it would encounter far greater problems. Playing outside of the bubble, players and coaches would be at far greater risk for exposure to the coronavirus. Now, after a smooth first two weeks, trouble is brewing for the NBA.
We’ve already seen one game postponed this season due to COVID-19. Given the circumstances around the league, it may just be a matter of time before postponed games become a recurring theme.