Boston – The Boston Celtics may find themselves in a very short position due to their match against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on Sunday as a result of NBA health and safety protocols.

In the team’s latest infection report, released at around 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, nine of the team’s 17 players – seven of them were listed for either positive COVID-19 tests or contact tracing as a result of them, including stars. Jaylen Brown And the Jason Tatum.

Meanwhile, Washington Wizards was without Bradley Bell In their home game against the Miami Heat on Saturday night due to health and safety protocols. It was placed there as a result of contact tracing with Tatum, the source of the ESPN The Athletic Report confirmed.

The two native St. Louis – two close friends and sharing the same coach, Drew Hanlin – spent a large part of the game guarding each other and chatted on the field afterward.

Washington has already played three teams this week – the Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers and the Celtics – that have tested positive and many players are in protocols.

In addition to the three Celtics who had to sit down in front of Friday’s victory over Washington – Robert Williams III, Who tested positive, and Grant Williams And the Tristan Thompson, Who went out due to contact tracing – Four more appeared in the Saturday report: Tatum, which was listed as suspect; And brown, Javonti Green And the Semi OjeleyeWho were all in question.

So those seven – with Romeo Langford (Wrist) and Kimba Walker (Knee), still with injuries – are all considered incapable of playing Sunday’s game, and Boston will drop to a minimum of eight players available to take on Miami. Six of these players – Marcus SmartAnd the Jeff TeagueAnd the Payton PritchardAnd the Carson EdwardsAnd the Tremont Waters And the Aaron Nesmith – Guards in addition to the centers Daniel Theiss And the Taco Fall.