Denver Nuggets rookie Bones Hyland was cleared to play on Wednesday after missing one week due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols and it was a process that he wishes to never go through again.
Hyland last played with the Nuggets on Nov. 29 after scoring a career-high 19 points in a win over the Miami Heat. He was placed into the health and safety protocols on Dec. 1 prior to facing the Orlando Magic after coming in close contact with a player that tested positive.
Players in the health and safety protocols miss up to 10 days following a positive coronavirus test. They can be cleared sooner if they return two consecutive negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart. Hyland missed seven days and was forced to quarantine in a hotel room in Orlando.
The process, as Hyland described, was a lengthy one.
I didn’t think it was going to be for seven days. I thought I was gonna be able to do three negative tests and then get back. I’m in the room and the first two days, it wasn’t nothing crazy. I’m not going to lie, that third or fourth day hit and, man! Them days were so long. (I was like), ‘They gotta get me out of here like ASAP! I can’t keep doing this!’
Hyland revealed that his mother flew to Orlando to deliver him his gaming system, which helped keep him occupied in quarantine. He would test daily while he played NBA 2K and ordered plenty of room service to help pass the time.
Bones Hyland on how he spent his quarantine.
His personality is more bubbly than dropping Mentos into Diet Coke. 😂 pic.twitter.com/GfB7sx7jYb
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) December 9, 2021
The process of joining the Nuggets started on Wednesday around 4 a.m. He was driven to the Orlando International Airport and arrived in Atlanta to catch a connecting flight to join the team in New Orleans.
However, the travel itinerary didn’t quite go as planned.
I got to Atlanta at about 7:35. As soon as I got there, they delayed the flight until about 10:30 a.m. It was supposed to be at 8:15. I’m like, ‘OK, I hope they don’t keep pushing it back.’ Literally, two minutes later, it gets pushed back to 12:30. I’m like, ‘Nah, we ain’t gonna keep doing this!’ I need somebody to make a couple of quick calls and get me a change of flight or something. I got to New Orleans about 1 o’clock. I got here and felt pretty good.
Hyland returned to score nine points, one rebound and one steal in 16 minutes off the bench in a 120-114 overtime win over the Pelicans. He admitted his legs were a bit heavy after missing one week and was still trying to get back into the swing of things in the contest.
The 26th pick has emerged as a key player for the Nuggets in the second unit this season given his energy and effort. With Hyland cleared to play, the Nuggets got a key reinforcement back as they look to keep their positive momentum moving forward.
For his sake, hopefully, they don’t lose him again to the protocols.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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