Heat-Celtics game postponed due to COVID-19 rules

Due to COVID-19 protocols, Sunday’s Miami Heat-Boston Celtics game was called off.

The Heat did not have the required minimum of eight available players for the game. In the run-up to the game, Heat guard Avery Bradley had an “inconclusive test,” according to this report.

As a result, Miami had only seven available players.

The Celtics, meanwhile, had only eight available players. Because of pandemic protocols, players Jaylen Brown, Javonte Green, Semi Oejleye, Jayson Tatum, Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Robert Williams III are sidelined, ESPN reported.

In related news, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant went into coronavirus quarantine earlier this month, missing four games.

COVID-19 testing impacts schedule

The NBA issued a statement, providing clarity to the situation.

“Because of ongoing contact tracing with the Heat, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Celtics,” it read.

The league previously announced that postponed games will be made up in the second half of the season.

Abrupt decision

The game was called off roughly two hours before tipoff, multiple media outlets reported.

The NBA bubble was a safe environment for the final weeks of the relaunched 2019-20 season and playoffs in Florida. But the complexities of the current campaign amidst the pandemic are on full display.

“You are starting to see what is going on in our country directly affect the NBA because we are no longer in that safety net of the bubble,” Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters.