Phoenix Suns C JaVale McGee placed under COVID-19 protocols

Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee became the latest player on the team to go under health and safety protocols on Thursday.

McGee is the fifth Suns player to go on there, actively joining Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and Abdel Nader. Head coach Monty Williams is also still under health and safety protocols.

Point guard Elfrid Payton has now been under the protocols on two separate occasions, only to clear them less than 48 hours later each time. He was able to come back to an active status for Monday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies after initially being out but was then re-added shortly before Wednesday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Payton warmed up before the game but left the building and didn’t play before now being active once again. Given the way in which he’s bounced around, it’s likely that Payton is dealing with some inconclusive testing results, and his time in protocols has served as a precaution.

Without Ayton and McGee, the Suns will have their hands tied at the center position. Frank Kaminsky (right knee stress reaction) and Dario Saric (torn right ACL) are both rehabbing long-term injuries, leaving second-year big Jalen Smith and 10-day signing Emanuel Terry as the lone bigs remaining.

Smith has played well as McGee’s backup over the last two games that Ayton has missed. He’s averaging 13.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in his previous two outings.

A good bit of news for Phoenix is that two-way wing Ish Wainright (low back soreness) is listed as probable after missing two games. Recent 10-day signing MJ Walker traveled with the team to Boston and is available for Friday’s matchup, giving the Suns 12 available players, two more than in Wednesday’s win.

Friday’s game against the Celtics is an 11 a.m. tip-off you can hear on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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