Raptors without Nick Nurse, five assistants due to coronavirus protocols
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TAMPA — Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and five members of his coaching staff will not be on the bench for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets at Amalie Arena due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
The coaches will continue to work remotely, and the team said details on their return will be given when appropriate. How the Raptors plan to handle their coaching situation is unclear, but general manager Bobby Webster will address the media before tonight’s game.
The Raptors last played Wednesday in Miami, where they lost to the Heat, 116-108, at American Airlines Arena. They’ve spent most of the month on the road, playing 10 of their 13 games in February away from Tampa.
The coaches’ entry into the NBA’s health and safety protocols does not mean they have confirmed positive coronavirus tests. They could be quarantining while undergoing more testing to confirm a positive test or they could have been a close contact to someone who tested positive.
The NBA has postponed 30 games this season due to the coronavirus, but none involving the Raptors.
Earlier this season, guard Norman Powell missed a day of practice but received clearance to play the following night after he had a non-team close contact test positive. Three members of the Raptors organization tested positive for the coronavirus on intake before training camp began in early December.
This story will be updated.
Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.
