Bradley Beal said the Washington Wizards are “fighting for the league” on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, with only eight players available and six Wizards excluded by the NBA health and safety protocol.
After a nine-day break because of a coronavirus outbreak within the team that led to the postponement of five games, the Wizards were finally cleared to return to training on Wednesday night. But the team had only eight players available and basically did light kicks, according to coach Scott Brooks.
“We haven’t been able to get into a gym for a week,” said Beal, whose team hasn’t played since January 11 against the Phoenix Suns. “It changes the pace and shape of the boys – it’s like a recipe for injury, honestly. I think we’re fighting for the league in that.”
With a lack of healthy bodies and little conditioning, Beal said he and Russell Westbrook planned to talk to Michele Roberts, the executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, about Wizards’ options for staying safe.
Beal said that in addition to the Wizards wanting to stay injury-free, league players have “mixed feelings” about wanting to continue playing and making money, while keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.
“We already have injured players,” said Beal. “Now we have a large part of our team, about 50%, with the virus now … we have news from the league tonight, we hear from them tomorrow and we see what they want to do.”
The Wizards, who are scheduled to start a four-game trip to Milwaukee on Friday, listed Davis Bertans, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, Troy Brown Jr., Ish Smith and Moritz Wagner for the game against the Bucks due to health and security protocols.
Westbrook (quad) was reevaluated this week and remains out and Thomas Bryant (left ACL) is out for the season. Westbrook did some light work on the court on Wednesday night and will travel with the team on the next trip. But Brooks said he was not sure when Westbrook will be released to play.
Wizards are expected to have Beal, Robin Lopez, Raul Neto, Garrison Mathews, Jerome Robinson, Isaac Bonga, Anthony Gill and Cassius Winston available to play.
Brooks said the team was unable to practice until Wednesday night. The Wizards are scheduled to practice again on Thursday morning with about 15 to 16 hours between the two sessions before playing Bucks.
“It will put us in a very difficult position to have a game on Friday night,” said Brooks. “If they make us play the game, obviously we have to play the game. I don’t know how we’re going to be able to play, but we’re going to do the best we can, whatever the league tells us what to do about it. I believe in the league . “
The Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers game on Wednesday night became the 16th game to be delayed by the NBA this season.
“[COVID-19] is close to everyone, “said Brooks.” This is not a scam. There are more than 400,000 Americans [who] passed away with this virus. And we take that seriously. You are obviously concerned. “