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The NBA has delayed Wednesday’s video game in between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat didn’t have at least eight players available, which is the minimum number needed of a team to play.
The Heat said Wednesday that Zylan Cheatham, P.J. Tucker and Gabe Vincent got in the health and safety procedures, while Jimmy Butler, Markieff Morris and KZ Okpala would be out through injury.
Six other players were noted in Miami’s injury report:
Steve Popper @StevePopper
This is the Heat injury report for tonight’s video game that has actually been delayed. pic.twitter.com/3AsN4Unrk3
Multiple reports laid out how desperate things had become for the Heat:
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
The Miami Heat are signing C Aric Holman of the G-League Austin Spurs to a 10- day hardship deal, sources tell ESPN. His finest characteristic today? Driving distance. He’s on his way to San Antonio to fulfill the Heat and help them have 8 active gamers to prevent a post ponement vs. Spurs.
Individual Retirement Account Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Here’s where Heat-Spurs stands: NBA generally has actually informed Heat to take any three readily available gamers from G League Austin Spurs. Heat also have injury interest in Garrett (wrist), Robinson (chest, I think, from early nasty Tuesday). Talks continuous.
A number of groups throughout the league have struggled to meet the eight-player threshold due to the boost in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron version.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Dec. 21 that league authorities weren’t yet considering a time out to enable teams to get their players back from the procedures:
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Commissioner Adam Silver signed up with NBA Today to discuss COVID in the league as Christmas Day techniques.
Silver said there are presently no plans to stop briefly the season. pic.twitter.com/LFIPCCejnQ
After the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention reduced its recommended seclusion time following a positive COVID test, however, the NBA changed its return-to-play procedures. Gamers who evaluate favorable can isolate for as couple of as 6 days before returning as long as they’re asymptomatic and fulfill other screening measures.
The Heat are off Thursday and return to action Friday against the Houston Rockets. Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel reported Butler and Kyle Lowry are both anticipated to be offered, hence assisting the group potentially prevent another postponement.