Topline
The NBA’s massive Covid-19 outbreak, which has forced over 100 players into health and safety protocols in the last month, is taking a toll on the league’s coaching staffs as well, with the virus sidelining 11 of the 30 teams’ head coaches along with assistants—many of whom are in a more vulnerable age group than their players.
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 07: Head Coach David Fizdale of the New York Knicks looks on against the … [+]
Key Facts
Los Angeles Lakers lead assistant coach David Fizdale, 47, entered protocols Monday morning following a six-game stint as acting head coach while head coach Frank Vogel, 48, was in protocols, though Vogel was cleared last Friday.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan, 57, entered protocols on Saturday following a team outbreak that sidelined ten players.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, 44, entered protocols on Friday, with assistant Brian Shaw stepping in as acting head coach.
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, 60, has been feeling “terrific” despite testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, according to acting head coach Dan Burke; assistant coach Sam Cassell has also been sidelined.
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, 50, was the victim of a team outbreak that forced the league to postpone the Nuggets’ Thursday matchup against the Golden State Warriors, as the team did not have eight active players—the minimum required for a team to play.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, 36, has been in health and safety protocols since Tuesday, with assistant Mike Wilks becoming the first former Thunder player to coach the team in Daigneault’s stead.
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, 50, has been sidelined for a week while in health and safety protocols, with assistant Kevin Young stepping in as acting head coach, though Suns president Jason Rowley told Arizona Sports radio last week Williams has been “staying involved” with the team while quarantining.
Following back-to-back game-winners from star forward DeMar DeRozan, the Chicago Bulls have risen to the No. 1 seed in the eastern conference despite the absence of head coach Billy Donovan, 56, who has been in health and safety protocols since December 24.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, 45, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, 62, and Sacramento Kings interim head coach Alvin Gentry—the league’s second-oldest coach at age 67—have all been cleared from health and safety protocols after being sidelined.
Tangent
36% of the league’s referees are also in Covid-19 protocols as of last Thursday, according to ESPN.
Key Background
On December 27, the same day that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered its recommended quarantine time for those that test positive for Covid-19 from 10 days to five days, the NBA announced it was lowering its own required quarantine time to six days, given that the players and/or coaches in question are asymptomatic.
Surprising Fact
The CDC notes those aged 40-49 are twice as likely to be hospitalized as a result of Covid-19 than those aged 20-29 (the average age for an NBA player is 26.2), with those aged 50-64 four times as likely.
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/masonbissada/2022/01/03/over-a-third-of-nba-coaches-sidelined-by-covid-19/