The NBA just released a statement saying that the next three games for the Memphis Grizzlies will be postponed due to a shortage of players on the roster and COVID-19 contact tracing for some members of their team. This is what the NBA released earlier this morning, via Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports:
Because of unavailable players and contact tracing, Grizzlies’ next three games have been postponed, per NBA. pic.twitter.com/AUVRQn5VHJ
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) January 21, 2021
This is not the first time this has happened to the Grizzlies, as their January 15th matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves was postponed. In fact, the postponement of games has been a regular occurrence in the NBA this season, as there have already been 15 postponements, with the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers game marking the 16th game to be postponed, according to ESPN.
The NBA has made it a priority to keep the players and coaching staffs of all teams safe, as they implemented health and safety protocols for COVID-19 that are enforced to the fullest. Players such as Danuel House from last season in the bubble, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving received fines and illegibility for playing after breaking protocol. In addition, according to Jack Maloney of CBS Sports, a memo sent by the league to all teams warned that “fines, suspensions, adjustment or loss of draft choices and game forfeitures” may be potential punishments should they break protocol.
Ever since Rudy Gobert became the first player to test positive for the virus, the NBA knew that they had to establish health guidelines for all players to follow if they wanted an NBA season this year. However, no matter how many regulations are put into play, COVID-19 has proven to be nearly impossible to manage, as more cancellations of NBA games seem inevitable.
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