Pacers game is Suns’ 3rd postponed due to COVID-19 contact tracing

The Phoenix Suns’ home game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday has been postponed.

It’s the third postponement after Phoenix did not play against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and the NBA canceled Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

The Suns gave their players the day off Tuesday after the Washington Wizards, who Phoenix played Monday night, announced two players were placed under COVID-19 health and safety protocols. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski since reported Thursday morning that three Wizards players have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The league confirmed Thursday that the latest postponements are due to contact tracing procedures affecting Phoenix, which does not have enough players to play.

Gambadoro added Thursday that, as of earlier in the day, no Suns have tested positive for coronavirus since the Washington game, but Phoenix will be required to undergo additional testing as there is lag time between transmission and positive tests for the virus.

Phoenix’s next game on the schedule is Monday on the road against the Memphis. Tip is set for 3 p.m. and the game, if it happens, will be aired on TNT as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day special.

Two of the Washington players under protocols are forward Rui Hachimura and center Moe Wagner. Hachimura started and played 28 minutes Monday in a win over the Suns, while Wagner registered 22 off the bench. Both players were officially listed as questionable for Washington’s game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Games for Washington have since been postponed because the Wizards will not have the minimum of at least eight players active.

The Suns had originally scheduled a pro day for Tuesday, a time for players to come to the practice facility to get treatment, weight room work and testing done. That was canceled, the team told ArizonaSports.com’s Kellan Olson.

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