The Washington Wizards arrived to Orlando, Florida this week for preparation for the NBA restart. However, center Thomas Bryant and guard Gary Payton II did not travel with the team. The two players tested positive for COVID-19, according to Ava Wallace of the Washington Post.
Guard Garrison Mathews did not travel with the Wizards as well for person reasons.
The Wizards are hopeful Bryant and Payton will rejoin the team and play in the NBA’s bubble at Walt Disney World. However, it’s not known when they contracted the virus and how long they will be kept from the team. It’s unclear if Mathews will join the team, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
“A couple of guys did not make the trip. Hopefully they will be joining us soon,” Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said. “But with the CBA medical [restrictions] I can’t get into who did not participate.”
The Wizards’ first of three exhibition games is scheduled for July 22 against the Denver Nuggets. Their eight-game regular season schedule starts July 31.
The Wizards will already be without their top-two leading scorers, Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. Beal will sit out the season due to a shoulder injury. Bertans opted out of playing during the restart.
Bryant averages 12.1 points and a team-leading 6.8 rebounds this season. Payton has averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 assists in 29 games this season.
