(670 The Score) Bulls forward Chandler Hutchison has tested positive for COVID-19, coach Billy Donovan said Friday.
Hutchison missed Chicago’s 133-130 win at Washington on Thursday evening. He remained in Washington D.C. as of Friday evening, Donovan said. Donovan revealed the news of Hutchison’s positive test with his permission.
Players who test positive for COVID-19 have to miss at least 12 days of action under the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Thursday marked the first day that Hutchison was listed in the protocol process. Hutchison is averaging 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game as part of the Bulls’ second unit this season.
Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen, guard Tomas Satoransky and Ryan Arcidiacono are also in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. They’ve returned to Chicago, Donovan said. It’s unclear how long they could be out.
“In full disclosure of what is happening, Chandler was the one that tested positive,” Donovan said. “And obviously what I’m telling you is stuff that I was allowed to say through permission. But he is still in D.C. and he is going through all the NBA’s safety protocols. The other three guys are back in Chicago right now, not on this trip. So outside of that, there’s nothing really more I can say.”
Hutchison is the third Bulls player to be publicly known to have contracted COVID-19. Wing Garrett Temple tested positive in late November upon reporting for training camp. Big man Noah Vonleh, who was on a training camp invite, also tested positive before being released in December. Vonleh was deemed a close contact to Satoransky, who then missed about nine days despite continuing to test negative.