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The Boston Celtics have announced their rotation will be significantly shortened by a positive COVID test and accompanying quarantine for close contacts.
The 2020-21 NBA season isn’t being played in a bubble and the pandemic is already taking its toll. On Thursday night, Seth Curry received a positive test result for COVID-19 while he was sitting on the bench during the 76ers’ matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. Several 76ers’ players are moving into quarantine because of close contacts and the Nets will be affected as well.
Now the Boston Celtics are taking a hit. They’ve announced that backup center Robert Williams has tested positive and both Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson will be entering quarantine for a minimum of seven days because of close contact with Williams.
How will these quarantines affect the Boston Celtics’ rotation?
Those three players have been averaging a combined 58.6 minutes per game for the Celtics and their absence will leave Daniel Theis as the only big men left in their regular rotation. Jayson Tatum and Semi Ojeyele have played minutes at the 4 this year and will likely need to see more time there as Boston moves through this section of their schedule. In addition, it may be time for the Celtics to call up fan-favorite Tacko Fall and give him a real chance to earn minutes.
The Celtics have five games over the next seven days, against the Wizards, Bulls, Heat and Magic (twice). The Magic are currently holding the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference but will be without Markelle Fultz who just suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The Bulls and Heat are both currently outside the playoff picture but have the talent and intention of pushing their way in.
Obviously, the health and safety of the players is the primary concern and things could certainly be worse, both in terms of available depth and with the upcoming schedule. Here’s hoping everyone Williams recovers fully, no one else is positive and everyone can get back on the floor soon.