Nets guard James Harden was one of seven players in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as an outbreak has ripped through his squad in recent days.
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The Nets made the announcement about Harden entering protocols less than 60 minutes before kickoff against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Harden is one of seven Nets players who were placed in the protocols over the past two days. Paul Millsap entered the protocols on Monday. Early Tuesday morning, the Nets put LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Bembry, Jevon Carter and James Johnson on the protocols. Bruce Brown was added to the list with Harden later Tuesday.
Harden will be inactive until further notice.
Brooklyn had just eight players, the league’s minimum, available to accommodate in its 131-129 overtime win against Toronto.
Update tonight’s status report: pic.twitter.com/mUrO1PcGFl
– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 14, 2023
NBA health and safety protocols require players to be out of the game for at least 10 days or to record two negative tests in a 24-hour period before they can resume basketball activities.
“Yes, it is unfortunate, for sure. First, we care about their health and safety, ”said head coach Steve Nash. “Fortunately for us, they are predominantly asymptomatic. But there will be a period of time necessary for them to test negative and have our entire group available again. “
The game against the Raptors marked a five-game streak in eight days for the Nets, a factor Nash said he was definitely taking into account.
“There is not much we can do at the moment, except wait for the results to come in and control what we have in our hands. So in a sense, we are playing the waiting game and we will be ready to be audible depending on what happens. “