Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox enters NBA health and safety protocols amid team outbreak
De’Aaron Fox became the latest member of the Kings organization to enter NBA health and safety protocols Thursday as the team wrestles with the reality of a COVID-19 outbreak inside the palace walls.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Fox had entered health and safety protocols Thursday, joining interim coach Alvin Gentry and teammates Terence Davis and Marvin Bagley III.
NBA health and safety protocols require players to be sidelined for a minimum of 10 days or until they produce two negative tests at least 24 hours apart. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was cleared to return after missing just one game against the Kings on Nov. 30, but other players have experienced prolonged absences.
Fox, 23, is averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his fifth season out of Kentucky. He is in the first year of a five-year, $163 million max contract extension.
Gentry, Davis and Bagley entered the league’s protocol system prior to Wednesday’s 119-105 win over the Washington Wizards at Golden 1 Center. Sources told The Sacramento Bee there were additional positive tests Thursday with the possibility of more as the team undergoes increased testing throughout the day.
Players and staff are undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with same-day results. All activities inside the team facility were canceled, including practice, meetings and medical treatment.
Sources said there was internal concern over the number of players who will be available for Friday’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies and “in the near future.” Earlier this week, the NBA postponed the next two games for the Chicago Bulls, who had 10 players out due to health and safety protocols. The league requires teams to have a minimum of eight players available for each game.
This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 4:09 PM.
