The Memphis Grizzlies, who already had Wednesday’s game postponed, will miss the next three games due to having “unavailable players” and because of contact tracing related to COVID-19, the NBA announced Thursday.
The NBA is erring on the side of caution with what still appears to be isolated COVID-19 exposure within the Grizzlies, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and these postponements aren’t a result of several individuals being placed into the league’s health and safety protocols.
Friday’s game at Portland has been postponed, as have home games against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and Monday, the league announced.
The league said the postponements are due to “unavailable players” as well as “contract tracing for other players” on the Grizzlies’ roster.
These postponements will bring the NBA’s total to 20 games this season, and bring the Grizzlies’ total to five. Washington — which will go at least 13 days between games after a half-dozen of its players tested positive — has seen six games called off, and Memphis has now had five of its games pushed back.
Memphis is assured of what will be no less than a nine-day break. The Grizzlies played Monday against Phoenix — getting their fifth straight win to improve to 7-6 and get over the .500 mark for the first time this season. The earliest they’ll play again is Jan. 27 against Chicago.
Postponed games, when possible, will be made up in the second half of the season that starts March 11 and runs through May 16. It’s unclear how many will actually be rescheduled. The Wizards, for example, are looking at potentially playing 41 games in those 67 days, while the Grizzlies would in theory have to play 40 games in that span.
Players who test positive must undergo a battery of exams before being cleared to return to play, such as cardiac tests. Those ruled out by contact tracing may return after a quarantine period, provided they continue to test negative for COVID-19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.