NBA Postpones Multiple Games Through Dec. 21, Citing COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty

After multiple NBA players and staff members recently tested positive for COVID-19, the league announced that it would be forced to postpone a slew of games through Tuesday.

On Sunday, the NBA shared a news release on Twitter, stating, "The next games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the next two games for the Brooklyn Nets, have been postponed because of players and staff members entering the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols."

Placement into the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols is indicative of a positive COVID test and requires players to be benched for 10 days, or two negative COVID tests within 24 hours in order to return to the court.

RELATED: Kyrie Irving Enters COVID Protocols Less Than 24 Hours After Nets Announce His Part-Time Return

Sunday's games between the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, and the New Orleans Pelicans and the Philadelphia 76ers have all been pushed back, as well as Monday's game between the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors and Tuesday's match-up between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets also made an announcement via Twitter, confirming the cancellation of Sunday's game against the Nuggets and Tuesday's game against the Wizards.

They added, "Any tickets held for Sunday's and Tuesday's games will automatically be valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be communicated once the new dates have been finalized. No additional action is needed at this time from ticket holders."

RELATED: The NFL and NBA Change League COVID Protocols Amid Surge in Player Cases

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers shared a medical update on its Twitter page, revealing that players Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine, and RJ Nembhard would be joining Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley in being sidelined due to the league's COVID safety protocols.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, 97 percent of the league's players are vaccinated, while 60 percent have reportedly received their booster shots.

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On Saturday, it was announced that Kyrie Irving had entered the NBA's health and safety protocols — less than 24 hours after the Brooklyn Nets revealed he would be returning to the team part-time.

RELATED VIDEO: LeBron James Enters NBA COVID Protocols, Could Miss Several Games

The 29-year-old point guard has not played a single NBA game this season after being benched by the Nets over his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now, Irving must return negative tests for five consecutive days before he is eligible to return to action. Once eligible to return, however, Irving will still be unable to play in the Nets' home games due to New York City's COVID-19 guidelines, as he remains unvaccinated.