The NBA has returned to its normal format of 82 games a regular season, with some Covid-19 related restrictions still enforced. But the league is not 100% Covid free yet. Chicago Bulls players are the latest victims of the Covid outbreak. The Bulls already had 5 players sidelined due to Covid-19 protocol before the game against Miami Heat on 11th Dec 2021.
Now Zach LaVine and Troy Brown Jr. will be on the Bulls’ list of sidelined players. It brings the Bulls total to 9 since the start of December. When any NBA player enters health and safety protocols, he must quarantine for 10 days. This rule will keep Bull’s Star player out of action till 22nd December 2021 unless two negative PCR tests reports with 24-hour are provided. Bulls already have DeMar DeRozan and Matt Thomas out until 16th Dec 2021.
Bulls already had taken the “Hardship exception”, which allowed them to have one extra roster spot in case of player shortage. They have fully vaccinated players and some players on the team have received a booster shot. Still, the organization has increased testing and safety measures to control the possible spread.
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How can Chicago Bulls beat the outbreak and their NBA competitors?
The Bulls have a 17-10 record and are currently at 3rd position in the East. They are not in action again until Tuesday when they play the Detroit Pistons at home. Coby White and Javonte Green will have completed their mandatory isolation period and could be available. Nicola Vucevic, yet another player who has completed his bout with COVID-19, will be back in action for the Bulls.
Also, the Bulls will be a bit relieved as several other players like Alex Curruso and Alfonso McKinnie will be available for the matchup. This will give Bulls 9 players available for the game. As per the NBA rules, a minimum of 8 players are required to compete in the matchup. So the match against the Pistons is feasible for the Bulls.
Luckily Chicago Bulls have one of the deepest rosters in NBA this season. Players might miss a few games and the team might even see one or two surprise losses but the team is capable of getting back on top.