Lakers’ Russell Westbrook out of NBA’s COVID protocols; team signs Isaiah Thomas
MINNEAPOLIS — The Lakers have added rookie guard Austin Reaves and injured guard Kendrick Nunn to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, as the spread of COVID-19 continues through their locker room.
The team, though, did announce that star guard Russell Westbrook is no longer in the protocols and is available for Friday night’s game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota.
The Lakers signed veteran guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract with a hardship exception.
The team plays in Minnesota before traveling to Chicago to face the Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls’ last two games were postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Austin Reaves knows he has the respect of LeBron James and his Lakers teammates, and he rewarded their faith in him with a game-winning three-pointer.
Reaves hit the game-winning shot against the Dallas Mavericks in overtime Wednesday night with the Lakers already short-handed.
Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley and Malik Monk are also in the NBA’s protocols.
Players can exit the league protocols by returning two negative tests 24 hours apart.
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