Boston Celtics-Miami Heat match on Sunday in doubt due to health, safety protocols

According to NBA rules, a team must have at least eight available players to be eligible to play in a game.

The Boston Celtics may be able to reach those for Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat, but it’s rare.

The league’s afternoon injury report lists Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams III and Grant Williams out because of the league’s health and safety protocol. All-Star Jayson Tatum is skeptical and Jaylen Brown, Javonte Green and Semi Ojeleye are listed as questionable people for the same reason. Kemba Walker and Romeo Langford are out with injuries.

Those nine Celtics means there are still eight players who could qualify and go in this game against Miami, which was recorded nationally at 7 east of NBATV, but if not for one player who is not on the afternoon injury list to go and everyone else when he comes out, the Eastern Conference Final replacement has to be postponed. Miami’s Avery Bradley will also miss a number of games for the protocols as well, all Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN.

Boston had more than enough players in their 116-107 home win over Washington on Friday, but they still had to sit Thompson and Williams because Williams III was positive. Later, All-Star Wizards Bradley Beal had to sit down because of communications, which meant his native Tatum teammate St. Louis and teammate Brown sit too.

Philadelphia 76ers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were among the players who sat in a loss Saturday with Denver due to a contact breakdown as Seth Curry proved positive when Philly lost in Brooklyn on Thursday. Dallas’ Maxi Kleber confirmed positive earlier on Sunday, and one other Maverick player confirmed earlier as well.