By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
In yet another twist concerning several NBA teams and the Coronavirus—including the Dallas Mavericks—the National Basketball Association games scheduled for tonight [January 11th] between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Mavericks at American Airlines Center, and tomorrow between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls at United Center have been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
The Protocols were set up before the season began to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that is still ongoing.
Over the past couple of weeks, the NBA has seen several teams dealing with positive tests, contact tracing and shutting down of facilities for cleaning. Several games have been cancelled as teams struggle to find enough players to play.
As a result of all the above, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association will be meeting today about modifying the league’s Health and Safety Protocols. In addition, the NBA’s general managers have a conference call set for today to discuss these issues with the League, according to ESPN.
The Mavs have four players currently in the NBA’s “health and safety protocol.” Maxi Kleber, Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Richardson. Per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, two have tested positive and two are due to contact tracing.
Stay tuned for more on this breaking news.
