INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors canceled their Thursday practices in precautionary strikes, citing the league's COVID-19 health and security protocols.
both teams made the announcements on Twitter.
Chicago ahead Derrick Jones Jr. additionally entered the protocol Thursday, the fifth Bulls participant in 9 days to be a part of the record.
Indiana has gained twice this week — beating Washington on Monday and routing the big apple Knicks on Wednesday. Pacers shelter Justin break has now not played since getting into the protocol on Nov. 30 and group officials haven't yet noted even if anyone else has been ruled out. Indiana is scheduled to host Dallas on Friday.
The Raptors misplaced to Oklahoma metropolis at domestic on Wednesday nighttime and are scheduled to host the Knicks on Friday.
Toronto has now not had any high quality COVID-19 exams given that the season began and the Raptors have stated all of their avid gamers are totally vaccinated.
or not it's already been a wild week for the Pacers, who snapped a 4-online game skid on Monday.
Then, in the course of a season the place the standard attendance at Indiana's domestic online game sunk to 13,137 entering Wednesday, tied with Detroit for a league low, teach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard opted to fulfill with their proper gamers to address speculation about breaking up the crew and rebuilding.
"Kevin and i made it clear we wish to win with this group," Carlisle mentioned all the way through a postgame availability wherein he changed into coughing. "This group changed into put along side the concept this may work. we've got been up in opposition t it with some injuries and bad success, but this is the NBA. Trades are at all times viable during this enterprise and our guys understand that."
gamers additionally were asked in regards to the studies.
"My identify is in a change rumor every day," spoke of Myles Turner, closing season's league blocks champion. "That's simply a part of the enterprise."
Now there are COVID-19 considerations, too.
A win Friday would give Indiana its first three-video game profitable streak of the season simply in time for Golden State's best consult with this season Monday as Stephen Curry closes in on the league's profession listing for 3-pointers. He needs 10 to damage Ray Allen's mark of two,973 and if he would not spoil it Saturday in Philadelphia, he could do it in Indy.
Indiana and Toronto are not the simplest groups plagued by the pandemic regardless of 97% of all gamers being thoroughly vaccinated, in keeping with league officers.
Jones is averaging 7.0 points in his first season in Chicago. The other Bulls within the protocol are All-famous person DeMar DeRozan and guards Coby White, Matt Thomas and Javonte eco-friendly. Resurgent Chicago had the japanese convention's second-superior record through Wednesday's video games and introduced guard Stanley Johnson to the roster with a ten-day contract.
Memphis safeguard Ja Morant and Denver preserve Austin Rivers also stay out of motion on account of COVID-19. each have already been dominated out for Thursday's video games.
And prior this week, ESPN pronounced it had got an NBA memo that reminded teams that any unvaccinated avid gamers would not be allowed to trip to Toronto starting Jan. 15 because of new Canadian laws mandating all company entering the country be vaccinated. The file additionally mentioned groups have to deliver the league office with a list of unvaccinated players with the aid of Friday.
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