Spurs, Hornets games postponed after 4 San Antonio players test COVID-19 positive
The next three San Antonio Spurs games are postponed after four players tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA announced on Tuesday. In addition, the Charlotte Hornets' next two contests are postponed because of contact tracing and the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/5OxPLXHUwQ
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2021
The Spurs defeated the Hornets, 122-110, in Charlotte on Sunday.
Spurs, Hornets schedule changes
The team was initially slated to play a back-to-back beginning Tuesday, but that game against the Detroit Pistons was already postponed on Monday. The NBA announced that the Spurs did not have the required number of players since there was a positive test and subsequent contact tracing protocols.
The team has been quarantined in Charlotte since the game, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The Spurs were scheduled to play at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, the New York Knicks on Saturday and the Indiana Pacers on Monday. That road trip has been postponed and they’re currently slated to return to the court Feb. 24 at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Hornets will miss home games against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Their home contest against the Golden State Warriors is still scheduled to take place on Saturday.
NBA rethinks schedule
The NBA is reportedly working on filling the void in the schedule to keep things going before the midway point of the season, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
The Pistons and Bulls will reportedly play each other on Wednesday in Chicago, per Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
A league source confirms the Bulls will play the Pistons on Wednesday night in Chicago. The Bulls were initially scheduled to play at Charlotte on Wednesday but had that game postponed due to health and safety protocols. https://t.co/eQTWdCuJcf
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) February 16, 2021
The Pistons were slated to be in Dallas to play the Mavericks on Wednesday, but it was postponed because of dangerous weather and a state of emergency in Texas. The government there shut down American Airlines Center.
Postponements still low after January onslaught
The postponement of the Spurs’ game on Tuesday was the 25th game the NBA has postponed this season because of COVID-19 protocols. It was just the third game in all of February after 21 games were postponed in January following holiday gatherings.
The NBA and NBA Players Association agreed to stricter protocols to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Players are required to stay in their hotel on the road, unless it’s for team activities, and mask requirements are stricter.
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