Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has tested positive for COVID-19 and is expected to miss multiple games, the team announced, via James Boyd of the Indianapolis Star.
Former Hawks coach and lead Pacers assistant Lloyd Pierce will serve as head coach during Carlisle’s absence.
Carlisle, 56, initially tested positive following the Pacers’ win over the Knicks on Wednesday. He then immediately entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol and was retested Thursday. Those results were announced Friday.
Pierce compiled a 63-120 record in two-plus seasons with the Hawks. He was fired after 34 games last season — when the Hawks made a run to the Eastern Conference finals under former Pacers coach Nate McMillan.
Along with everything else, the Pacers (11-16) are reportedly contemplating the idea of unloading veteran starters Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert and Myles Turner to retool with eyes on a rebuild.
The Cavaliers could be among the suitors for LeVert, as we wrote about earlier.
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