Grizzlies' Jonas Valanciunas leaves game vs. Nets due to NBA health and safety protocols
Evan BarnesMemphis center Jonas Valanciunas did not return for the second half of the Grizzlies' 115-110 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday due to NBA health and safety protocols.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said postgame that Valanciunas did not test positive for COVID-19, which suggests the big man's departure was related to contact tracing.
The team announced Valanciunas would miss the rest of the game at the start of the third quarter. He left for the locker room with about 41 seconds left in the first half.
Valanciunas is the second Grizzlies player who is expected to miss time because of the protocols.
De'Anthony Melton missed four games earlier this season due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and returned on Sunday. Melton was out for at least seven days total so Valanciunas could see a similar quarantine period.
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If so, he would miss the Grizzlies' upcoming three-game road trip, which starts Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com
