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COVID-19 Updates: Hachimura, Roby, Grizzlies, Bucks, Robsinon, Suns, Nance, Hawks

January 5th, 2022 at 8:16pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Wizards power forward Rui Hachimura has exited the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, though an exact timeline for his return to the court has yet to be determined, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Hachimura, 23, has missed the entirety of the Wizards’ 37-game 2021/22 NBA season thus far, due to a combination of an extended personal absence and subsequently his stint in the protocols. The 6’8″ big man is averaging 13.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG across his two seasons with Washington thus far.

Here are more protocol-related updates from across the league:

Young Thunder reserve center Isaiah Roby has entered the NBA’s coronavirus health and safety protocols, per Joe Mussatto of the Oklahoman (Twitter link).
Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks and guard De’Anthony Melton have cleared the NBA’s coronavirus protocols but remain questionable ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Pistons as they continue to re-condition, while forward Kyle Anderson has also cleared protocols but will most likely not play due to back soreness, according to Memphis’s PR team (Twitter link).
Bucks forwards Jordan Nwora, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Semi Ojeleye have exited the league’s COVID-19 protocols and are available for a short-handed Milwaukee team tonight against the Raptors, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link). We first mentioned earlier today that that triumvirate of Bucks players was nearing a return. Through the game’s first half, Nwora is the only one of the three that has played.
$90MM Heat shooting guard Duncan Robinson has exited the NBA’s coronavirus protocols and will reunite with the team in Portland ahead of its game against the Trail Blazers tonight, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The team has announced that Robinson will play (Twitter link).
Suns centers Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee, along with starting power forward Jae Crowder, have all cleared COVID-19 health and safety protocols but will remain sidelined for Thursday’s home contest against the Clippers as they work their way back into game shape, reports Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Trail Blazers forward Larry Nance Jr. has cleared the league’s coronavirus protocols and will be available to play tonight against the Kings, per Aaron J. Fentress of the Oregonian (Twitter link). We had first noted earlier today that Nance had registered an inconclusive COVID-19 test and that a quick return was a possibility.
Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and small forward Jalen Johnson have exited health and safety protocols, writes Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Spencer says the two players are expected to consult with Atlanta’s medical staff in Los Angeles ahead of the team’s games against the Lakers and Clippers on Friday and Sunday. Spencer adds that Johnson struggled a bit with the coronavirus and could need additional conditioning time.

Bismack Biyombo Signing A Major Success So Far

January 5th, 2022 at 2:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Suns‘ addition of Bismack Biyombo on a 10-day contract has been a major success so far, according to Jeremy Cluff of The Arizona Republic. Biyombo has made a case for a rest-of-season deal by averaging 13.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 2.0 BPG on 11-of-13 shooting off the bench in his first two games with the team.

Chandler Hutchison Cut By Suns

January 4th, 2022 at 4:45pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Suns have opted to release small forward Chandler Hutchison, who had been occupying one of their two-way contract slots, per JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors (Twitter link).

The 6’6″ swingman was selected with the No. 22 pick by the Bulls out of Boise State in 2018, but struggled to stay healthy during his Chicago tenure. He was eventually shipped to Washington during the 2020/21 season. After an uneventful time in Washington, Hutchison latched on with the Suns this season. The forward holds career averages of 5.4 PPG on .442/.309/.643 shooting and 3.7 RPG in 17.1 MPG for 103 games played between the Bulls, Wizards and Suns.

Hutchison appeared in just six contests with Phoenix, averaging 3.7 MPG. In six games with NBA G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors this season, Hutchison averaged 6.0 PPG and 2.7 RPG over 21.7 MPG.

With the loss of Hutchison, power forward Ish Wainright becomes the Suns’ only two-way player for now.

COVID-19 Updates: Randle, Williams, Nurkic, Burke, Bradley

January 4th, 2022 at 10:52am CST by Luke Adams

Knicks forward Julius Randle has exited the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced today (via Twitter). Randle, who only entered the protocols last Thursday, will be listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s game vs. Indiana.

The Knicks were hit hard in December by COVID-19, but are in pretty decent shape for the time being. Nerlens Noel is the only player on the roster who is still in the protocols.

Here are more protocol-related updates from around the NBA:

Suns head coach Monty Williams has cleared the COVID-19 protocols and will return to the club for Tuesday’s game against New Orleans, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Kevin Young, who temporarily replaced Williams as Phoenix’s head coach, will revert to his assistant role.
Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic broke the news on Monday that he had cleared the health and safety protocols and would be back in Portland’s starting lineup. He logged 26 minutes on Monday in his first game since December 21.
Mavericks guard Trey Burke took part in the team’s shootaround on Monday, a pretty good indication that he has exited the protocols, tweets Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Burke didn’t play on Monday, but could be back later this week.
Bulls center Tony Bradley apparently cleared the protocols on Monday, having been listed as out due to return to competition conditioning on the team’s injury report.

Justin Jackson Signs Hardship Deal With Suns

January 4th, 2022 at 10:33am CST by Rory Maher

JANUARY 4: The Suns have officially signed Jackson to a 10-day deal, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Phoenix has four players in the health and safety protocols (Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, JaVale McGee, and Abdel Nader) and four players signed to 10-day hardship deals (Emanuel Terry, M.J. Walker, Paris Bass, and Bismack Biyombo), so the team was ineligible for another hardship addition without either another player entering protocols or one of its current 10-day deals being terminated.

As it turns out, both of those things have occurred. The Suns have released Terry and also placed Landry Shamet in the protocols, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter links).

DECEMBER 30: Justin Jackson is close to signing a 10-day contract with the Suns, tweets veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein. Jackson signed a 10-day deal with the Celtics on Dec. 18, appearing in one game (two minutes) with the team prior to entering the league’s health and safety protocols.

The 15th pick of the 2017 draft, Jackson has appeared in 248 NBA games. Last season, he played 33 games for the Thunder and another for the Bucks. He began his career with the Kings and also played one full season and part of another for Dallas.

The Mavericks waived Jackson during training camp prior to the season. In 10 games this season with the Texas Legends, Dallas’ G League affiliate, Jackson averaged a stellar 22.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 2.9 APG in 36.1 MPG.

Suns Sign Bismack Biyombo To 10-Day Deal

January 1st, 2022 at 3:37pm CST by Rory Maher

JANUARY 1: Phoenix has officially signed Biyombo to a 10-day contract, the team announced on social media (Twitter link).

DECEMBER 31: The Suns are planning to sign veteran free agent center Bismack Biyombo for a 10-day contract via a hardship exception, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. It’s possible Biyombo could stick with the club longer than just 10 days, Woj adds.

This will be the 11th NBA season for Biyombo, who’s still just 29 years of age. He spent last season with the Hornets, but was unable to find a team in free agency. In 66 games last season (20.4 MPG), Biyombo averaged 5.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.2 APG and 1.1 BPG.

Biyombo has played 702 career games (307 starts) with Charlotte, Toronto, and Orlando. He’s known as strong rebounder and shot-blocker, however he lacks shooting touch.

The Suns are essentially down to their fifth center at the moment in Jalen Smith, and at 215 pounds he’s pretty thin to be playing lots of minutes down low. JaVale McGee and Deandre Ayton are currently in the health and safety protocols, while Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric are both sidelined by long-term leg injuries.

The Suns were over matched in the paint in their 123-108 loss to Boston Friday, giving up 13 offensive rebounds and losing the rebounding battle 51-38. Biyombo should provide immediate help in that department.

COVID-19 Updates: McGee, Buchanan, Hill, Wanamaker, More

December 31st, 2021 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

JaVale McGee is the latest Suns player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols, as Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic writes. McGee joined Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and Abdel Nader in the protocols on Thursday evening.

On the plus side, the Suns did get Elfrid Payton out of the protocols for the second time this week — Payton was placed in the protocols on Sunday and Wednesday, but quickly cleared both times, so it’s possible he has registered multiple false positive tests in recent days.

Here are a few more protocol-related updates from around the league:

Shaq Buchanan, signed by the Grizzlies as a hardship replacement player, has now entered the health and safety protocols himself, according to the team (Twitter link). Buchanan’s 10-day deal runs through Tuesday night, so it may expire before he clears the protocols.
The Hawks‘ COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, as Malcolm Hill – a 10-day hardship addition – has entered the protocols, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Hill, who had appeared in three games since signing with the team last Wednesday, is one of a dozen Atlanta players in the protocols.
Brad Wanamaker signed a 10-day deal with the Wizards on Wednesday, recorded seven points and seven assists in his first game with the club on Thursday, and has now entered the health and safety protocols on Friday, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. He’s one of seven Wizards players affected.
Kenyon Martin Jr. exited the COVID-19 protocols and practiced with the Rockets on Thursday, says Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
We continue to update our health and safety protocols tracker several times per day. It can be found right here.

Paris Bass Signs 10-Day Deal With Suns

December 30th, 2021 at 8:46pm CST by Rory Maher

8:46pm: Bass has signed his 10-day contract with the Suns, agent Daniel Kazan tells Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Bass will be available for Friday’s contest versus the Celtics, Haynes adds.

6:44pm: The Suns plan to sign forward Paris Bass to a 10-day contract via the hardship exception, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Bass has been playing in the G League with the South Bay Lakers.

Bass was productive in 14 games with South Bay, averaging 17.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, and 1.1 SPG in 27.5 MPG. The 26-year-old spent two years in college with Detroit, putting up 18.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.4 BPG in 2015/16 (24 games).

Bass spent the past two seasons with Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico, per RealGM.

Phoenix currently has four players in the NBA’s health and safety protocols: Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, Elfrid Payton, and Abdel Nader.

Suns Sign M.J. Walker Via Hardship Exception

December 30th, 2021 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

4:57pm: The Suns have officially inked Walker to a 10-day deal, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (via Twitter).

11:55am: The Suns are signing swingman M.J. Walker to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Walker, 23, went undrafted out of Florida State earlier this year after averaging 12.2 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 2.5 RPG in 24 games (29.0 MPG) as a senior in 2020/21. He posted an impressive three-point shooting percentage of 42.3% and earned a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.

As a rookie this season, Walker has been playing for the Westchester Knicks, New York’s G League affiliate. In 13 games (29.4 MPG), he has averaged 10.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.2 APG on .405/.411/.833 shooting.

The Suns currently have four players in the health and safety protocols after Elfrid Payton and Abdel Nader entered the protocols on Wednesday. Walker will be the team’s second hardship addition, joining Emanuel Terry.

COVID-19 Updates: Payton, Nader, Lopez, Ross, Cavs, Duke

December 30th, 2021 at 9:38am CST by Luke Adams

It has been an unusual week for Suns guard Elfrid Payton, who entered the health and safety protocols on Sunday, then exited them on Monday after what appeared to be a false positive. On Wednesday, prior to Phoenix’s game vs. Oklahoma City, Payton reentered the protocols, as Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic writes.

The specifics of Payton’s situation are unclear, but he’ll now remain in the protocols for at least six days unless he can once again return two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart.

According to Rankin, Payton wasn’t the only Sun to be placed in the protocols on Wednesday — Abdel Nader has also joined that list. However, Nader has been out of Phoenix’s lineup since November 19 due to what the team has called “right knee injury management,” so his placement in the protocols had no real impact on the rotation.

Here are a few more COVID-related updates from around the NBA:

Magic center Robin Lopez has entered the COVID-19 protocols, the team announced on Thursday morning (via Twitter). However, Terrence Ross is listed on Orlando’s latest injury report as out due to “return to competition reconditioning,” which suggests he has exited the protocols. With Lopez in and Ross out, there are still five Magic players in the protocols.
The Cavaliers‘ latest injury report lists Jarrett Allen, Dylan Windler, and Lamar Stevens as going through return to competition reconditioning, so they’ve cleared the protocols. Allen is considered doubtful for Thursday’s game in Washington, while Windler and Stevens are questionable.
Nets rookie David Duke has exited the health and safety protocols, tweets Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Brooklyn’s list of players in the protocols was in the double-digits earlier this month, but is now down to just two — Kessler Edwards and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Our running list of players in the protocols can be found right here.