The Bulls’ next two games have been postponed as they deal with a widespread COVID-19 outbreak on their roster, the NBA announced Monday.
Chicago’s game against Detroit at the United Center on Tuesday and its game at Toronto on Thursday have been called off. They were the first two NBA games postponed this season amid the pandemic, and it wasn’t immediately clear when they’ll be rescheduled. The Bulls’ next scheduled game is Sunday against the Lakers at home.
As of Monday morning, the Bulls had 10 players in the NBA’s health and safety protocols and were set to only have eight healthy players available for Tuesday. That’s the minimum number of players needed for a regular-season game, but the NBA chose to call off at least two contests as the Bulls’ virus troubles continued to spread and the threat of more entering the protocols loomed. The Bulls had five players land in the protocols across the past three days. Other staff members are also in the protocols.
The Bulls players in COVID-19 protocols as of Monday morning were Coby White, Javonte Green, DeMar DeRozan, Matt Thomas, Derrick Jones Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, Stanley Johnson, Zach LaVine, Troy Brown Jr. and Alize Johnson. Players have to spend 10 or more days in the protocols unless they test negative twice 24 hours apart.
White has returned to the Bulls’ facility, according to reports, after spending more than 10 days away from the team. He should be in line to return to action when the Bulls play next.
The Bulls (17-10) shifted course Monday, opening the gym for individual workouts but not gathering for a formal practice as expected.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.