The Cavaliers-Hawks game scheduled for Sunday in Atlanta has been postponed by the NBA, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Cleveland’s shortage of players following Sunday’s round of positive tests led to the league’s decision, Wojnarowski reported.
Cavs center Jarrett Allen and four other unidentified teammates reportedly entered protocol on Sunday, joining forward Evan Mobley and guard/forward Isaac Okoro. Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young has also entered protocols, per reports.
The Cavs (19-12) are coming off a road win against the Bucks and have won six straight overall.
Cleveland is likely eligible to sign players via the league’s hardship exception, but there are complications with that when it comes to logistics.
“The majority of players that fall under the hardship umbrella are in Las Vegas for the G-League Cup,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote. “The travel logistics present a challenge to get extra bodies in uniform by tonight.”
All players with positive tests need to spend 10 days in protocol or return two negatives in a 24-hour span before returning, per NBA rules.
The NBA reportedly has a vaccination rate of 97 percent, but like the NFL and NHL, is experiencing a major outbreak of positive tests and players entering protocol. The Associated Press reported Thursday evening that about 8 percent of NBA players were in protocol. That number has about doubled since then.
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