LOS ANGELES – Alex Caruso will miss Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol, Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel said before the game.
Caruso, who played 11 minutes in the Lakers ‘127-91 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, was deemed questionable for the Blazers’ game because of a strained right hand, but Vogel clarified that it was not the hand of Caruso which kept him out of the Portland game.
Vogel said there were no other players or staff members out of the game Monday, due to the contact tracing portion of the health and safety protocol.
“Everything we do at work, so to speak, in our travel group and everything is designed not only to keep us safe from the virus, but also to protect us from quarantine situations,” Vogel said. “If we don’t follow protocols and a staff member is in close contact with someone, then they will be subject to a possible close contact quarantine. That’s at work. So we feel it’s safe to go through an NBA season of the way we are doing it.
“All of these protocols are in place to keep everyone safe. So be sure to follow them, and the things to think about is that this is not the only place people are. If any of us have a situation where a family member tests positive or something like that, we could all be subject to that kind of close contact quarantine and, but in terms of what we’re doing at work, these protocols are designed to keep us safe. “
Caruso is averaging 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in three games off the bench this season.
All players must undergo daily coronavirus tests this season. The Lakers conduct the tests at their facility in El Segundo, California.
“We adjust the test window based on how our day looks,” Vogel said. “A day off, I think normally we’re doing something like 8-12, the guys can come in anytime during that period. And if we have practice at 11 or noon, we just adjust the trial period accordingly. 9:45 am target practice, testing starts at 7:30. So we adjust it according to the schedule of the day and if we have a day off we just drive, test and drive home. “
A league source, when speaking to ESPN about the testing requirements, noted that “there is no such thing as a day off this season.”
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