10 Chicago Bulls Players On COVID 'Health And Safety Protocols,' Two Of This Week's Games Postponed

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The next two game for the Chicago Bulls are postponed because 10 players and staff members are in the league's COVID "Safety Protocols."

According to a news release from the team, the games set for Tuesday, December 14 against the Detroit Pistons and Thursday, December 16 at Toronto were postponed.

No makeup dates were announced. The Bulls' next game is now scheduled for Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers at home.

The team confirmed Monday that backup forward Alize Johnson became the 10th player to enter the protocols, joining a list that includes stars Zach LaVine and DeMar Derozan. Also on it are Troy Brown Jr., Matt Thomas, Coby White, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Ayo Dosunmu and Stanley Johnson.

That left the Bulls with the eight available players, the league minimum to field a team. That list includes two players on two-way contracts in Devon Dotson and Tyler Cook, another signed to a 10-day contract last week in Alfonzo McKinnie, and rookie Marko Simonovic, who has played most of the season in the G League.

Players in the health and safety protocols must be sidelined at least 10 days or record two negative COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour period before they can resume basketball activities.

Below is a list of the players who are out under the COVID protocol:

·      Alize Johnson, -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 23
·      Zach LaVine -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 22
·      Troy Brown Jr. -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 22
·      Ayo Dosunmu -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 21
·      Stanley Johnson -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 21
·      Derrick Jones Jr. -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 20
·      Matt Thomas -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 18
·      DeMar DeRozan -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 16
·      Coby White -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 14
·      Javonte Green -- Expected to be out until at least Dec. 14

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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