Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel came out on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a missed COVID-19 test, said technician Billy Donovan.
“Nerlens was extremely sorry,” said Donovan. “If I’m totally honest, there are times I’ve been in my room and I said” Oh my God, I forgot to take my test “and I should run over there and test. These days run together.
“Sometimes it can get out of your mind if your test is not suitable for practice, it may be a little later in the day, you may forget,” he said. “Everyone here was asked to remember personally … We talked about it, we must all be responsible for making sure we are doing it.”
According to Orlando’s bubble protocol, players must be tested every day for the virus and a failed test requires a one-day quarantine. Noel is expected to be available for the reopening of the Thunder season on August 1st against Jazz.
Noel only appeared in one of the three Thunder scenes due to a slightly sprained ankle last week.
Guard Chris Paul is seated at the last thunder scrimmage due to rest and guard Terrance Ferguson is out with a bruise in his leg.
Blazers are without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in their latest scrimmage.
Lillard faced the team’s previous scrum against the Raptors with inflammation in his left foot, but coach Terry Stotts said he expects Lillard to be ready for the team’s first game on Friday. As for McCollum, there was no reason why he was sitting.
“He’s not playing,” said Stotts when asked if he was going to rest.
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