The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls won’t meet on Thursday, Dec. 16, as initially scheduled.
On Monday, Dec. 13, the NBA announced that the Bulls’ next two games would be postponed in accordance with the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
The following was released by the NBA pic.twitter.com/afG3OqvqlB
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 13, 2021
At the time of the announcement, the Bulls had 10 players and additional staff members were in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Ahead of the season, this game was circled as DeMar DeRozan’s second trip to Scotiabank Arena as a member of the Bulls. DeRozan is among the 10 Bulls placed in the protocols as well as three other former Raptors in Alize Johnson, Stanley Johnson and Matt Thomas in addition to All-Star Zach LaVine.
MORE: Which players are out due to protocols?
The Bulls, who have been largely impacted by injury and health and safety protocols were the first team in the 2021-22 season to make use of the NBA’s hardship exemption, using it to sign Stanley Johnson and Alfonzo McKinnie to 10-day contracts.
The Bulls are also the first team to have games postponed this season.
As of Thursday, 10 players remain in the protocols for the Bulls. Their next game is a home matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers slated for Sunday, Dec. 19. Due to the current situation, Sunday’s game was rescheduled from 3:00 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Raptors are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 18, when they host the Golden State Warriors. In accordance with provincial health guidelines, Scotiabank Arena will be operating under 50 percent capacity until further notice.
More to come.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.