NBA Postpones the Chicago Bulls’ Next Two Games

The NBA has announced its first two-game postponements of the season, a Tuesday contest between the Bulls and Pistons and the Bulls’ Thursday game against the Raptors.

The news comes after reports that Alize Johnson entered health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 early Monday.

Last season, the League postponed 32 games due to virus-related issues. The Bulls have ten players in COVID-19 protocols, including their two leading scorers Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Chicago was expected to have at least eight healthy players for Tuesday if nobody else entered health and safety protocols.

At least four players, Javonte Green, Coby White, Derozan, and Matt Thomas, are reportedly expected to clear protocols and come back this week. LaVine, Derrick Jones Jr., Stanley Johnson, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr., and Johnson are expected to be cleared next week.

Nikola Vucevic recently returned to action after his bout with COVID-19. Chicago has reportedly been testing players and coaches multiple times per day amid the team-wide outbreak. The Bulls are allegedly vaccinated and have not dealt with any severe symptoms.

The Bulls return to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday but will have some time between Tuesday and Sunday to clear protocols and regain their fully healthy roster.