The COVID-19 outbreak that has spread across the NBA has affected the Los Angeles Lakers traveling party, as multiple staff members — including coaches, players, and broadcasters — are now in the league's health and safety protocols.
Let's get you caught up on the latest news before the Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
Los Angeles will be down two assistant coaches in Dallas (and perhaps beyond). Phil Handy has entered protocols, while David Fizdale is away from the team for non-COVID personal reasons. Frank Vogel said Quinton Crawford will assume Handy's role overseeing the defense. Mike Penberthy and John Lucas III will have the opportunity to coordinate the offense — a job typically done by Fizdale.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Times' Dan Woike reported that Bill Macdonald, Spectrum’s play-by-play broadcaster who travels with the team, has entered protocols, as well. (John Ireland will assume play-by-play duties.)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/07X5e8U73vXXesGhwMlzEq?si=d3630024efbf49ff
The Lakers will also be without Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, and Talen Horton-Tucker for the time being. The three players tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the league's health and safety protocols on Tuesday. Monk traveled with the team before being transported back to Los Angeles. Neither Howard nor Horton-Tucker made the trip to Texas.
At the moment, it's unclear if these positive tests are linked.
Frank Vogel said Lakers are 100% vaxxed and doing things "the right way" in terms of adhering to COVID-19 protocols. They're encouraging boosters.
He said Lakers are "at the mercy of the virus" and this is just "the nature" of the season. Next man up, no excuse mindset, he said.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) December 15, 2021
On a positive note, Anthony Davis will make his return to the Lakers lineup in Dallas after missing the past two games with left knee soreness.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Kent Bazemore — who started the first 13 games of the season then fell out of the rotation — will see minutes in the absences of THT and Monk.
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