(670 The Score) The already undermanned Bulls are set to be even more shorthanded when they visit the Miami Heat on Saturday evening.
Forward Derrick Jones Jr. has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Thursday. Jones is now the fifth Bulls player to enter the protocols as the team deals with a COVID-19 outbreak. Guard Coby White, forward Javonte Green, wing DeMar DeRozan and guard Matt Thomas were already in the protocols, with all four missing Chicago’s 115-92 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan is operating under the belief that the team wouldn’t get any players already in the protocols back before Saturday, he said late Wednesday. Players who enter the health and safety protocols generally miss 10 or more days unless they produce two negative tests 24 hours apart.
A key contributor off the bench when the Bulls are at full health, Jones had moved into a starting role due to the team’s attrition. He’s averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 58.6% in 18.5 minutes across 22 games, including two starts.