By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Updated at 7:45 pm on January 8th
Three Dallas Mavericks players are listed on the NBA’s official pre-game injury report as “out for health and safety protocols.” They are Jalen Brunson, Dorian-Finney Smith and Josh Richardson. Two of the players are out due to contact tracing and will be required to quarantine for a least seven days per NBA guidelines. The player who tested positive will be out longer. It was not specified which player tested positive.
Less than 24 hours after a thrilling overtime victory in Denver over the Nuggets on Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks learned of a positive Coronavirus test for one of its players.
The news of the positive COVID test was first reported Friday afternoon by Shams Charania of The Athletic. In addition, he reported that two other Mavs players are expected to quarantine for seven days due to contract tracing. The two players tested negative and are expected to remain so, Charania reported.
Sources: Prior to flight from Denver to Dallas today, the Mavericks learned of a positive coronavirus test for a player and two additional players who are expected to quarantine for seven days due to contact tracing. The three players remained in Denver.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2021
All three players remained in Denver. The rest of the team flew home today.
All the players were active in last night’s game—which the Mavs won 123-117—except for Trey Burke who was out ill and did not travel with the team, and Kristaps Porzingis who is recovering from surgery.
The Mavs’ next game is at home at American Airlines Center tomorrow [Saturday] night against the Orlando Magic.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the franchise decided before the season to not allow any fans at the games.
Stay tuned for more on this breaking story.
