The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on the day-to-day operations of the NBA for the 2021-22 season.
The December COVID-19 surge prompted more than 100 returning NBA players to test positive and participate in the league’s COVID health and safety protocols. Some teams have been affected more than others, with up to 13 players on a team included in protocols at once.
THAN: Which NBA players are on the COVID-19 health and safety protocol?
As of December 30, the NBA has postponed a total of 11 games due to teams lacking available players. Under NBA rules, a game is adjourned when a team has fewer than eight players available.
Below you will find a list of postponed matches and a breakdown of the teams most affected.
NBA games postponed for 2021-22
| Day | Game | Schedule date |
| December 14 | Pistons vs. Bulls | January 11 |
| December 16th | Bulls vs. Raptors | February 3 |
| December 19 | Cavaliers vs. Hawks | March 31 |
| December 19 | Nuggets vs. Nets | January 26 |
| December 19 | Pelicans vs. 76ers | January 25th |
| December 20 | Magic vs. Raptors | March 4 |
| December 21 | Wizards vs. Nets | February 17 |
| December 22 | Raptors vs. Bulls | January 26 |
| December 23 | Nets vs. Trail Blazers | January 10 |
| December 29 | Heat vs. Spurs | February 3 |
| December 30 | Warriors vs. Nuggets | March 7 |
NBA games postponed by team
- Bulls, Nets, Raptors: three games
- Nuggets: two games
- 76ers, Cavaliers, Hawks, Heat, Magic, Pelicans, Pistons, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Wizards: one game
To combat availability issues, The NBA and NBPA reportedly made amendments to the league’s hardship exemption on Dec., which allows teams to sign a replacement player for each positive COVID-19 case on their respective rosters.
However, in some cases, substitute players have also been included in COVID health and safety protocols, which, along with injuries, have led to the most recent postponements.
When will the make up game be rescheduled?
Unlike the 2020-21 season, when the truncated 72-match schedule was announced in two halves, the 82-match schedule for the 2021-22 season has been announced in full. Matches will likely be rescheduled in line with the itineraries of affected teams.
In the case of the Bulls and Raptors, the two games between the teams need to be rescheduled.
