Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Thursday, sources told ESPN.
The Bulls listed Vucevic in the protocols, but the positive test means the two-time All-Star selection will be sidelined for 10 days or until he has two negative PCR tests in a 24-hour period.
Chicago (8-3) begins a five-game West Coast road trip on Friday against the league-leading Golden State Warriors (TV: ESPN, 10 p.m. ET).
Vucevic guarded Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in successive games prior to Embiid testing positive last week. NBC Sports Chicago has reported that the Bulls are fully vaccinated.
Vucevic, 31, has had five double-doubles over his last six games, including an 18-point, 10-rebound performance in Wednesday’s 117-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
In 11 games this season, Vucevic has averaged 13.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Bulls, who are tied with the Washington Wizards for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Tony Bradley will likely start at center for the Bulls in Vucevic’s absence.