Kings center Richaun Holmes out vs. Miami Heat due to NBA health and safety protocols
Kings center Richaun Holmes was placed under NBA health and safety protocols Saturday, becoming the latest member of the organization to enter the league’s protocol system following the team’s recent COVID-19 outbreak.
Holmes, who recently returned after missing seven games due to an eye injury, is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat. He will be out a minimum of six days or until he produces two negative tests over a span of at least 24 hours.
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry, De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis, Louis King, Alex Len and Neemias Queta missed several games recently under the league’s protocol system amid a leaguewide outbreak. The NBA has shortened the isolation period for players who test positive to six days if the player is asymptomatic and meets other testing requirements.
Holmes has appeared in five games since returning from a right eye laceration that required surgery. He averaged just 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in those games, well below his season averages of 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Holmes has missed nine games so far this season. The Kings are 4-5 in those contests. Gentry could start Alex Len or Damian Jones in place of Holmes on Sunday against the Heat.
Len has started seven games this season, but he has not played since returning from health and safety protocols. Gentry explained that Len needed time for reconditioning. Len is averaging 6.1 points and 4.2 rebounds this season.
Jones has yet to start a game this season, but he has been productive in an increased role recently. Over the past four games, he averaged 10.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. He had 23 points and eight rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 19.
This story was originally published January 1, 2022 at 5:29 PM.
