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Tim BontempsESPN
BOSTON – The Boston Celtics could be extremely crooked for their game against the Miami Heat at the TD Garden on Sunday, due to NBA health and safety protocols.
In the team’s latest injury report, released on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, nine of the team’s 17 players were listed – seven of them, either because of positive COVID-19 tests or following contacts as a result of including stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards were without Bradley Beal for the home game against the Miami Heat on Saturday night due to health and safety protocols. He was placed there as a result of following contact with Tatum, a source confirmed a report by The Athletic to ESPN.
The two natives of St. Louis – who are close friends and share the same coach, Drew Hanlen – spent much of the game guarding each other and having a conversation on the field afterwards.
Washington has already played three teams this week – the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Celtics – that have had positive tests and several players in the protocols.
In addition to the three Celtics who had to take part in Friday’s victory over Washington – Robert Williams III, who tested positive, and Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson, who were out of contact – four others appeared in the report. Saturday: Tatum, who was listed as doubtful; and Brown, Javonte Green, and Semi Ojeleye, who were all debatable.
If the seven – along with Romeo Langford (wrist) and Kemba Walker (knee), who are sidelined with injuries – are deemed unable to play in Sunday’s game, Boston would be reduced to a minimum of eight players available to face off. Miami. Six of these players – Marcus Smart, Jeff Teague, Payton Pritchard, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters and Aaron Nesmith – are goalkeepers, in addition to Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall.