The Toronto Raptors were forced to play outside of Canada this year due to the fact the North American border is closed due to coronavirus. This week, many members of the Raptors organization were ineligible to play or coach because of “positive test results.” Among those impacted have been starters Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, reserve players Malachi Flynn, and Patrick McCaw, head coach Nick Nurse and five assistant coaches on the Raptors according to Aaron Rose of Sports Illustrated.
Now it should be noted that not all of the aforementioned people have tested positive for coronavirus. However, we do know that there is one member of the Raptors coaching staff who has coronavirus according to Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet. The others are ruled out at this time because they were in close contact with the unnamed coach who tested positive, and are required to be in their residence for the short term.
The Raptors have not played since beating the Houston Rockets 122-111 on Friday in Tampa Bay. The Florida city has been the home of the Raptors this season, even though the state has been decimated big time by the pandemic. There have been 1,918,100 cases of coronavirus, and 31,142 deaths.
It is no surprise whatsoever that the Raptors have been impacted by coronavirus while being based in central Florida. What the surprise is that it took three months before there was a positive case.
Over the last few days, the Raptors had a game postponed against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, and a game against the Detroit Pistons moved from Tuesday to Wednesday. The Raptors are then to play the Boston Celtics on Thursday in their last game before the All-Star Break. There will be no Raptors going to the All-Star Game in Atlanta on Sunday.
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