New Orleans Pelicans rookie Trey Murphy III did not play Monday during a win over the Indiana Pacers after entering the NBA’s health and safety protocol, the team announced.
Murphy is the lone player on the roster currently in the health and safety protocol. The team previously had several players sidelined because of the protocol, including Jonas Valanciunas, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naji Marshall among others.
Players and coaches entered into the health and safety protocol that are vaccinated can be cleared to return after six days, compared to the previous 10-day isolation period. Individuals can still be cleared sooner if they return two negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart.
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Murphy just returned to the Pelicans after a stint with their affiliate in the NBA G League, the Birmingham Squadron. He recorded 33 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in a win on Sunday over the Austin Spurs, his third appearance with the Squadron.
The 17th pick has played sparingly with the Pelicans, averaging 3.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 36 games. He had not logged significant minutes with New Orleans since recording three points and one steal in 19 minutes on Dec. 28 in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The omicron variant of the coronavirus swept through the NBA last month with over 200 players and at least a dozen head coaches placed into the protocol. The league and its teams and players seem to be through the worst of it with very few cases active as of Monday.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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