Spurs-Pelicans game called off, as NBA's virus woes continue

San Antonio’s game in New Orleans was called off Monday night in latest virus-related postponement for NBA, one that came when league determined that neir team would have eugh players available.

As has been case with most of or games that have been postponed, contact tracing was cited as cause. But inste of it involving just one team — as has been case with each of season’s previous 21 postponements prior to Monday — this one involved both clubs.

“Because of ongoing contact tracing within both Spurs and Pelicans, neir team has league-required eight available players to proceed with scheduled game,” NBA said, sending that anuncement less than two hours before planned tip-off time.

San Antonio became 24th team to have at least one game postponed so far this season because of virus. Spurs played Washington — a team that went 13 days between games because of six players testing positive for COVID-19 and three ors missing time because contact tracing suggested y may have been exposed to virus — on Sunday night.

Of 22 postponements this season, 21 have been me since Jan. 10.

Spurs-Pelicans game being called off wasn’t only b news for NBA on Monday on virus front. Los Angeles Clippers ruled out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta in accordance with league’s health and safety protocols.

A person with kwledge of situation said Leonard and George may be able to return at some point during Clippers’ four-game ro trip, depending on what NBA decides with regard to ir situations. person spoke to Associated Press on condition of anymity because neir team r league spoke about those cases publicly.

Also Monday, Boston Celtics said Jayson Tatum would play for first time since Jan. 8 in ir game at Chicago.

Celtics are scheduled to visit San Antonio on Wednesday. uncertainty surrounding Spurs w obviously puts that game in some jeopardy.

“My thought would be we should t fly re until we kw,” Celtics coach Br Stevens said. “That’s bottom line. That’s my only thought going through my mind with all travel we have coming up.”

Memphis’ home game against Sacramento, scheduled for Monday, was postponed last week, and Grizzlies’ Wednesday game in Chicago was called off as well. Grizzlies are up to six postponements, matching Washington for most in NBA.

Depending on Spurs’ situation, Memphis’ layoff may get longer. Grizzlies are supposed to play in San Antonio on Saturday.

Pelicans have upcoming home games against Washington on Wednesday, Milwaukee on Friday and Houston on Saturday.

Im credits: AP