The Toronto Raptors are going to have to deal with more absences.
On Tuesday, the Raptors announced that both Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn have entered the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
The Raptors now have five players in health and safety protocols, with VanVleet and Flynn joining Pascal Siakam, Dalano Banton and Gary Trent Jr.
MORE: Which players are out due to protocols?
Per Raptors, Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn have joined Siakam, Banton and Trent Jr. in health-and-safety protocols.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) December 21, 2021
As NBA.com's Gilbert McGregor explained, if any player tests positive for COVID-19, they must spend a minimum of 10 days away from their team unless they return two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.
Through 28 games this season, VanVleet is averaging career-highs of 20.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds on .434/.397/.869 shooting splits. Flynn has appeared in 21 games, averaging 3.2 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in limited minutes (8.6).
With multiple players currently sidelined, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Raptors planned to sign both Brandon Goodwin and Juwan Morgan to 10-day hardship contracts. The same day, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Raptors will also sign Nik Stauskas.
Following Tuesday's news of VanVleet and Flynn being out, Charania reported that the Raptors will add Tremont Waters to a 10-day hardship deal.
MORE: Fast facts on Brandon Goodwin and Juwan Morgan
The Raptors currently have a 14-15 record on the season, placing them in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Toronto's meeting with the Orlando Magic on Monday was postponed. The Raptors are scheduled to play again on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.
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