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Once the NBA decided to go ahead with the 2020-21 season during the pandemic, it was expected that some players would miss time due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reports that Golden State Warriors’ forward Eric Paschall will be out of the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers due to the league’s COVID-19 rules.
Sources: Warriors forward Eric Paschall is entering the league’s health and safety protocols. He will miss tonight’s game against the Pacers. Length of absence still to be determined.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 12, 2021
We can only speculate that this means Paschall was either in close contact with an individual who has the virus or has a positive COVID-19 test himself.
The second-year forward has been one of the Dubs’ best players early in the season. Paschall is averaging 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 38..3% from beyond the arc through 10 games.
Paschall has been the best bench player for head coach Steve Kerr, bringing some scoring punch and sound positional defensive play to the second unit. Paschall is usually the first sub who enters the game, usually midway through the first quarter.
This isn’t the first time a Golden State Player has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Draymond Green and James Wiseman missed the beginning of training camp after testing positive for the virus.
The Warriors have been clicking lately, winning six of their previous eight games. Losing Paschall will be a big blow to the second unit, meaning Kerr will have to get creative with his rotations to help fill the void, at least for the time being.