Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders has been cautious for the past few days when speaking of the mayhem COVID-19 wreaked during the NBA season.
Sure, the virus hasn’t had much of an impact on Minnesota’s schedule, but that could change in a moment.
« You can feel safe sometimes, but you can’t disappoint your guard either, » Saunders said. « We try to keep reassuring these guys that this is the mindset we need to have because, like everything else, things can change drastically, one way or another, very quickly. »
This was the case in Minnesota. Two days after the Wolves played against Memphis at almost full strength – only Jake Layman was out for personal reasons – the game against the Grizzlies on Friday was postponed. The postponement was announced in the Target Center just two hours before the planned tip.
« Due to the constant follow-up within the Timberwolves, » the league announced, « the team does not have the eight available players required by the league to continue with today’s game against the Grizzlies. »
Minnesota announced Thursday that the team would do without Juancho Hernangomez and Ricky Rubio on Friday, according to health and safety protocols. The athlete reported that Hernangomez was isolated and would be out for 10 days. On Friday, the Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns – whose loved ones had lost so many to the virus this year – announced that it had tested positive for COVID-19.
Rubio announced back in July that he was infected with the virus, although it is now well documented that you can do this more than once.
Friday’s postponement is nothing new in the entire league. It was the 13th game this season that was postponed for « health and safety reasons », despite the NBA not naming individual COVID-19 cases. Two more games scheduled for Friday have also been postponed – Washington’s game in Detroit and Golden State in Phoenix.
Due to the influx of cases leading to forced moves, this week the NBA ramped up its virus logs, limiting the number of people on the outside interaction team with anyone they don’t share home with.
However, severe restrictions are not a panacea for containing viruses. Probably the only way to really lock it out of the NBA locker rooms is to get into a bubble, as the Orlando, Florida league did this summer to play off the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. There is no sign that it will happen anytime soon this year. Hence, there are likely to be further shifts as teams battle waves of infection and subsequent contact records.
« You can do everything right and then your significant other can go to the grocery store and get it and you sleep in the (same) bed and get it, » Timberwolves forward Ed Davis said this week. « It’s just a strange thing because when a guy gets it, some people get angry, or they are angry with the person, but they could have done the right things. Some people are irresponsible. It’s just one of those things when someone is Just try to protect yourself and your family as best you can. But like I said, sometimes you just can’t avoid it, it just happens. »
« We have to make sure we don’t abandon our guards and the wearing of masks is common. Diligence is all around us as we focus on playing a game but also trying to stay safe stay, « Saunders said this week. « We really need to stay true to these protocols. »
It remains to be seen whether Minnesota will have enough players on Monday afternoon to face the Hawks in Atlanta. Related articles
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