DeMar DeRozan enters COVID protocols: How long will he be out?

Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is listed as out versus the Denver Nuggets on COVID protocols and could miss more games as a result. 

The Chicago Bulls have battled their way through Eastern Conference rankings to the No. 2 spot, but that could all change quickly with DeMar DeRozan now out on COVID protocols.

As Shams Charania reports, DeRozan could miss several games while out on COVID protocols, and he is certain to miss Monday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

How long will DeMar DeRozan be out in COVID protocols?

DeRozan joins several other NBA players across the league who are currently in COVID protocols, including four Charlotte Hornets players placed on the list on Dec. 4.

According to NBA policy, “the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols requires players to be sidelined at least 10 days or record two negative tests in a 24-hour period before they can resume basketball activities.”

The Bulls have four games scheduled between now and Dec. 16: the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons, and his former team, the Toronto Raptors. Depending on when DeRozan contracted COVID and can provide two negative tests within 24 hours, he could miss between one and five games, or potentially more.

In any case, DeRozan’s absence is a significant loss for the Bulls, who are fighting to maintain their advantage over the No. 4 ranked Heat. Just this past week, DeRozan earned the distinction of being the NBA’s Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference, averaging 30 points per game.

With the Mid-Range Master out for an expected 10 or more days, the Bulls will be without a 30-point advantage heading into the game.