Report: 2 More Lakers Rotation Players Placed in Health and Safety Protocols

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with a serious situation right now. Talen Horton-Tucker tested positive for COVID-19 and the team had to cancel practice. Now two Lakers rotation players have entered NBA’s health and safety protocols. Things don’t look really good right now. Should we be worried?

The Lakers announce that Dwight Howard and Malik Monk are also out because of the health and safety protocols, joining Talen Horton-Tucker

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 15, 2021

The team confirmed that guard Malik Monk and center Dwight Howard have entered safety protocols.

ESPN reported that Lakers members had to take a rapid test and a PCR test before making the airport. Everyone had to test negative to move on with the activities.

Players who test positive can clear protocols with two negative tests within at least two hours. That’s exactly what happened when LeBron James tested positive. He did several tests and cleared protocols right away. Players who test negative must spend 10 days in isolation away from their franchise. This means they shouldn’t conduct any physical activity at all. After the isolation period, players have to do cardiac screening and reconditioning.

NBA teams will have to deal the situation carefully. They are entering important stretch of the regular season.

Lakers starters have to clear protocols

Losing Malik and Howard is a big blow for the Lakers. They are without several key players. Monk’s 3-pointers will definitely be missed in the upcoming period.

Howard has a big role with the Lakers. Vogel has used him as a starter and off the bench. The team needs his rebounds and defense. The big man will miss at least a few games.

The NBA is dealing with huge problems at the moment. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo entered protocols. James Harden joined six other players in the group. Brooklyn had eight players in the game against the Toronto Raptors. Recent reports reveal that Bucks guards Wes Matthews and Donte DiVincenzo have entered protocols as well.

The NBA postponed two Bulls players this week. Ten players entered protocols and it was impossible to play the games. This was the first postponing for the season. The NBA mandates a minimum of eight players for each team. Hopefully, the situation won’t get any worse than this.