Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal is calling in the big guns, as the team continues to battle a full-blown COVID-19 outbreak within its ranks. According to the two-time All-Star, the Wizards are now going to request the NBPA to step in as the team continues to try and convince the league to suspend their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
This report comes via Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press:
Bradley Beal says the Wizards "are fighting the league" on whether they should play Friday. The Wizards, clearly, feel they don't have enough healthy bodies that will be in good enough condition to play.
Beal says he & Russell Westbrook will ask Michele Roberts for help as well.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 21, 2021
According to league policy, a team must be able to field at least eight players on its roster for every game. At this point, Beal is adamant that the Wizards will not be able to satisfy this minimum requirement, and as such, the NBA should have no other choice but to postpone Friday's contest.
The league has now suspended Washington's five previous contests, and the Bucks matchup could turn out to be the sixth postponed game. The Wizards last took the court on Jan. 11 in a 128-107 win over the Phoenix Suns.
There appears to be no improvement in the team's bout against the outbreak. Just recently, a seventh Wizards player, as well as a staff member, returned a positive test result for COVID-19. At this point, it would not be surprising if the Wizards' postponed games go beyond Friday's matchup against Milwaukee.
Washington is slated for four games next week. This includes a three-game road trip against the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Pelicans. They return to Washington next Friday to host the Atlanta Hawks.
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