Jusuf Nurkic will likely miss the Portland Trail Blazers’ preseason opener, as he’s yet to complete COVID-19 safety protocols required before being cleared for participation, according to head coach Terry Stotts.
(via oregonlive.com):
“If he tests on Thursday and gets another negative he will be cleared for contact on Friday,” Stotts said. “I doubt that he plays,” Stotts continued. “But in theory if he gets a negative test from Thursday’s testing he would probably be eligible to play Friday but I doubt that he plays.”
The Blazers open their four-game preseason schedule on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. Nurkic returned later than the rest of his teammates from Bosnia.
Last season, the Bosnian center returned from a serious leg injury he suffered during the 2018/19 campaign. He played 13 games with the Blazers during the NBA season restart in Orlando.
