The Portland Trail Blazers now have five players in the NBA’s health and fitness and protection protocols, in accordance to a report on Xmas Working day from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Robert Covington, Ben McLemore and Keljin Blevins have entered the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. They join Dennis Smith Jr. and Trendon Watford.

This is the initially time this time that the Blazers have been impacted by COVID-19. The workforce announced in advance of the season that the total roster experienced been vaccinated. All around the NBA, dozens of gamers have entered the protocols resulting in the postponement of some video games like Thursday’s contest in between the Blazers and Brooklyn Nets, who experienced 10 players in protocols.

The Blazers, according to Charania, have responded by signing players to fill the roster prior to Monday night’s match towards Dallas at the Moda Center.

Groups must have eight gamers in get to engage in a game. With five reportedly in protocols, the Blazers still have 11 players but CJ McCollom (collapsed lung) and Cody Zeller (knee) have missed various online games recently. Should they continue being unavailable for Monday, which will definitely be the circumstance for McCollum, the Blazers would be down to nine offered gamers.

The Blazers, according to Charania, prepared to sign ahead Cameron McGriff of NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm on a 10-working day hardship deal, in accordance to agent Keith Kreiter of Edge Sporting activities.

McGriff, out of Oklahoma State, is averaging 10.7 details and 4.8 rebounds for the Greensboro Swarm.

Also expected to be signed is guard Jarron Cumberland, who is playing for the Delaware Blue Coats.