NBL games postponed amid COVID cases

Anna Harrington |

Three additional NBL games have been postponed due to COVID-19 cases and close contacts within the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets.

Adelaide’s home game against Perth Wildcats on Tuesday has been postponed after a 36ers player tested positive, resulting in all game-day players and staff being deemed close contacts.

The 36ers, whose players and staff are all fully vaccinated, also had their away trip to face South East Melbourne Phoenix on January 2 postponed.

After Brisbane’s December 26 game against Cairns Taipans was postponed due to positive cases in their squad, the Bullets’ New Years Day game against Perth has suffered the same fate.

“The health and safety of the players, coaches, clubs, staff and fans is the League’s number one priority when considering these matters,” the NBL said in a statement.

“The NBL will continue to follow the advice of governments and health authorities.

“Regular testing of all players and staff will continue, while further testing will be carried out on individuals impacted or those deemed close contacts.

“The schedule will be updated with rescheduled games in the coming days.”

Meanwhile Wednesday’s WNBL game between the Sydney Uni Flames and Bendigo Spirit has been postponed after a Flames player tested positive.

The Flames said all their players and staff were fully vaccinated.

The positive case is in isolation while, as per NSW health protocols, the rest of Sydney’s players are considered casual contacts and require further PCR testing before resuming training.

The Flames said a delay in accessing coronavirus test results meant the game couldn’t go ahead as scheduled.

AAP