NBA COVID tracker: Five games postponed this week; Trae Young, Kevin Durant among stars in protocols

Here's a running list of players in health and safety protocols along with every game postponed this season

The uptick in COVID-19 cases around the NBA this month has impacted the availability of dozens of players and has caused the league to postpone multiple games. As COVID numbers rise, the NBA is reportedly discussing modifications to its health and safety protocols with the National Basketball Players Association, including possible roster expansion options. The league saw its first confirmed case of the Omicron variant within the NBA's player pool last week, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Multiple teams are dealing with outbreaks. That includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had five players test positive for COVID on Sunday. The Brooklyn Nets, meanwhile, have 10 players in protocol, including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. 

As of Sunday, seven total games had been postponed. Five of those postponements were announced Sunday, and impact the schedules of nine different teams.