Four Hornets Players, Including LaMelo Ball, Placed In Protocol

Four members of the Hornets have been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols — starting guards LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, as well as small forward Jalen McDaniels and center Mason Plumlee.

All four players will be sidelined for at least 10 days unless they record two negative tests in a 24-hour span.

It’s quite a blow to the Hornets, who have already experienced an up-and-down early season. They have five games in the next 10 days.

UPDATE: @hornets have placed the following players in the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols: LaMelo Ball, Jalen McDaniels, Mason Plumlee and Terry Rozier

— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) December 4, 2021

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the entire team was sent home from practice as a precautionary measure. Wojnarowski added that the Hornets fear more positive COVID-19 tests may emerge.

Ball is having an outstanding season with averages of 20.0 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, while Rozier is carrying averages of 17.7 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

Plumlee is averaging 6.8 points and 7.3 rebounds, but has been sidelined since Nov. 24 with a calf injury. He was expected to return Sunday. McDaniels is averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in reserve.

The Hornets (13-11) have lost three straight.