The Washington Wizards will not have the league-required eight available players for Wednesday’s home game against the Utah Jazz, causing it to be postponed, it was announced Tuesday.
The Wizards are dealing with multiple players in COVID-19 contact tracing, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This is the sixth NBA game this season to be postponed due to health and safety protocols.
The Wizards canceled practice Tuesday prior to the league’s decision to postpone the game. The team then later listed forward Rui Hachimura and center Moe Wagner as questionable due to health and safety protocols on the injury report.
Point guard Russell Westbrook was already out for the week with a left quad injury. And the team had just lost center Thomas Bryant (ACL) for the season last weekend.
“It’s throughout the league and it’s happening,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said about canceling practice. “And we knew that there is always a possibility that it might happen with us.
“We have to always focus on the safety of our players, staff and family. That is more important to me than playing the game. If we have to cancel a game or pause, I am for it. Whatever we have to do, I am for it. Our players feel the same way.”