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The Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat game scheduled for Sunday, January 10 has been postponed, per several reports.
Several reports say that a Miami player had an inconclusive coronavirus test pregame. Due to contact tracing with that player, the Heat would be unable to suit up the minimum requirement of eight players for Sunday’s game.
With health and safety protocol-related absences of their own, the Celtics were only going to have the minimum required eight players in uniform for the game. Boston is without Romeo Langford and Kemba Walker due to rehab from offseason surgery. In addition, the Celtics have the following players out due to health and safety protocols:
- Jaylen Brown
- Javonte Green
- Semi Ojeleye
- Jayson Tatum
- Tristan Thompson
- Grant Williams
- Robert Williams
How long each player will be out for is unknown at this point. Health and safety protocol absences can range from a few days to over two weeks.
The Celtics are next scheduled to play on Tuesday, January 12 at the Chicago Bulls.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that despite the mounting absences due to COVID-19 protocols, that the NBA has no current plans to pause the season;
ESPN Sources: While the Celtics-Heat game has been postponed tonight, the NBA has no plans to pause the season despite thinning rosters because of COVID-19 protocols in several places.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2021
Stay tuned to CelticsBlog for updates as this situation develops over the coming days.