Nets coach Steve Nash lands in COVID-19 health and safety protocols, out vs. Raptors
The Brooklyn Nets will be without head coach Steve Nash for the foreseeable future.
Nash entered the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Monday night, the team announced. The announcement came just before Brooklyn's 133-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors, but after Nash was at the team's shootaround and media availability before the game.
It's unclear how long Nash will be gone or if he is experiencing symptoms, though he likely won't be able to attend Tuesday's rematch at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada. He will be replaced by assistant Jacque Vaughn.
Nash is at least the 17th coach in the NBA to enter protocols this season, and the first in more than a month.
The Nets led in the opening minutes Monday before closing out the first quarter on the wrong side of an 18-6 run. Then, after a nearly five-minute stretch midway through the second where they scored just one field goal, the Nets were in a 25-point hole.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 28 points and 16 rebounds in the win, and Precious Achiuwa added 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Nets with 15 points off the bench. Both Bruce Brown and Cam Thomas finished with 14 points on the night.
The Nets have lost two of their last three games coming out of the All-Star break, and are now two full games behind the Raptors in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
