NBA players continue to test positive for the coronavirus, which in turn is forcing teammates that have come in contact with those players to sit out. So far this season, every team in the NBA has been affected by Covid-19 either directly or indirectly. The biggest consequence has been the league’s recent rash of postponed games.
The league announced on Sunday that the Memphis Grizzlies’ game against the Chicago Bulls, which was scheduled for Wednesday night, will be postponed because the Grizzlies have less than eight required players. This is the team’s fifth straight postponed game under the health and safety policy and sixth overall, matching the Washington Wizards for most on the league. It also marks the NBA’s 21st postponed game this season, with more almost certain to come.
The NBA said the Grizzlies game is being postponed because of contact tracing with the team and the fact that they will not be able to practice before the scheduled game. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Grizzlies “have no new players entered into the health and safety protocol” but that the “league continues to be cautious with a return to play for Memphis.”
Last season, the NBA managed to make its way through the playoffs in a bubble at Orlando’s Disney. A similar setup seems unlikely at this point as the players have been adamant about their refusal to even consider the idea. LeBron James even cited PTSD when asked about potentially playing in the bubble again.
The next scheduled game for the Grizzlies is Saturday in San Antonio against the Spurs.
