Celtics vs Heat postponed after player's COVID-19 test results return without conclusion

This weekend, Boston Celtics were ready to play ir game against Miami Heat with minimum number of eight players available. team had nine players sidelined, seven due to NBA's health and safety protocols. w, after a Miami Heat player returned with an inclusive COVID-19 result, Sunday game has been officially postponed. 

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Celtics vs Heat postponed by league

Why was Celtics vs Heat postponed?

According to Athletic's Shams Charania, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat game was postponed after a Heat player – currently unidentified – got an inconclusive test result. While Celtics were going to shorthanded, Heat ended up being without required number of available players after required contract tracing. league soon confirmed news. 

" National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between Miami Heat and Boston Celtics at TD Garden has been postponed in accordance with league's health and safety protocols," league wrote. y added that due to ongoing contract tracing, league-required eight players are unaivalble to play against Celtics. team's released similar statements on social media.

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Is Heat and Celtics game cancelled?

While issuing a statement to New York Times' Sopan Deb, NBA's spokesperson Mike Bass spoke about COVID-19 situation, and how y expected game postponements and planned accordingly. "re are plans to pause season. We will continue to be guided by our medical experts and our health and safety protocols". ESPN's Adran Wojnarowski also reported that while rosters suffering due to protocol, league plans to continue as decided. 

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Celtics inactives: What was to be Celtics starting lineup?

Before game was postponed, Celtics were going to play with only eight players y had available – Tacko Fall, Daniel is, Aaron Nesmith, Tremont Waters, Payton Pritchard, Carsen Edwards, Marcus Smart, Jeff Teague. Like mentioned above – Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams, Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye and Robert Williams – were missing game due to various health and safety protocols in place. Per reports, Tatum and Robert Williams tested positive for COVID-19, while Kemba Walker and Robert Langford were sidelined due to injuries. 

This is second game during 2020-21 season that has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. On December 23, OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets game had been postponed as latter only had seven available players. Three players had positive or inconclusive results, while James Harden was fined and isolating for violating set protocols. One player was out due to injury. 

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(Im credits: Miami Heat, Boston Celtics Instagram)