Kings forward Chimezie Metu ruled out vs. Lakers due to NBA health and safety protocols
Kings forward Chimezie Metu has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after entering NBA health and safety protocols.
Metu joined center Richaun Holmes in the league’s protocol system as the Kings (16-22) were preparing to play the Lakers (19-19) at Crypto.com Arena.
Metu, 24, is averaging 9.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in his fourth season out of USC. He has started 16 games this season but recently moved back to a reserve role after Marvin Bagley III was inserted in the starting lineup.
Metu was the hero in a 95-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. He made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game.
Holmes, 28, is averaging 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds in his seventh season out of Bowling Green. He had recently returned after missing seven games with a right eye laceration when he entered health and safety protocols Saturday.
Interim coach Alvin Gentry will likely start Damian Jones at center with Holmes out for the second consecutive game. Gentry could turn to reserves such as Maurice Harkless and Tristan Thompson to fill the minutes Metu has been getting at the power forward spot.
Nine Kings players, multiple coaches and several team staffers have missed time due to health and safety protocols in recent weeks as the organization faces its first major COVID-19 outbreak since the start of the pandemic.
Gentry, assistant coach Mike Longabardi, De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis, Louis King, Bagley, Alex Len and Neemias Queta were recently cleared to return. Scott Moak, the Kings’ public address announcer, and Gary Gerould, the team’s radio voice, are still out after testing positive for the virus.
