The Utah Jazz have slumped badly with All-Star center Rudy Gobert in health and safety protocols, but they just got some good news on that front with Gobert clearing protocols on Friday, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Veteran forward Rudy Gay is also out of protocols.

The Jazz were having another dominant regular season before Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and went in protocols on Jan. 6. Utah stumbled to a 1-4 record in the last five games without him, with the defense especially struggling. MacMahon notes that the Jazz allowed 120.8 points per 100 possessions over the last five games without their defensive anchor.

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Utah still has an impressive 28-14 record despite the recent slide, but the Memphis Grizzlies have passed them in the standings. The Grizzlies' 11-game winning streak now has them in the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference, with the Jazz dropping to No. 4. Utah is firmly ahead of the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who are 22-19.

The Jazz's next game is against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The assumption is that Gobert will be back in the lineup.

The Frenchman is averaging 15.5 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game this season. Gobert is leading the league in rebounding and is also shooting a league-best 70.6% from the field. The Jazz center will be a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year once again. He won the award last season and has won it three times in the last four seasons.

Gobert's initial positive COVID-19 test in 2020 shut down the season.