COVID-19 disrupts the schedules of professional and collegiate teams

CLEVELAND – COVID-19 cases continue to affect the operations and ability to play for several basketball teams in Ohio.

The Cleveland Cavaliers game on Sunday at the Atlanta Hawks game has been postponed in accordance with NBA health and safety protocols, the Cavs announced on Sunday.

The team also announced on Sunday that center Jarrett Allen, forwards Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler and guards Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard have entered NBA health and safety protocols, joining Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley, who had previously entered the protocols.

Cleveland is next set to face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Also on Sunday, Ohio State University announced that its basketball team had to cancel a game again “due to ongoing COVID-19 issues within the Buckeye basketball program.”

The Buckeyes were scheduled to play against the University of Tennessee at Martin on Tuesday at Value City Arena. The match will not be rescheduled.

Both teams recently canceled previous matches due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Ohio State game against Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday was called off and UT-Martin was scheduled to play in Evansville on the same day, but due to protocols around Evansville the game was also called off.

Ohio State said the status of future games is to be determined.

“The safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, staff and the community of the State of Ohio remain a top priority,” said the University of the Athletics Department of Ohio State in a statement. “All team-related activities will remain on hold, and players and staff will continue to be tested in accordance with Ohio State protocols in consultation with the Big Ten Conference.”

The Buckeyes are scheduled to host New Orleans on Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m.