Jazz Coach Snyder, House Jr. Enter COVID Protocol
Jan 30, 2022, 4:24 PM | Updated: 5:01 pm
Quin Snyder head coach of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during the first half of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans November 26, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder entered the NBA’s COVID protocols and won’t coach against the Minnesota Timberwolves according to the team.
The Wolves are slated to host the Jazz on Sunday, January 30.
Lead assistant Alex Jensen will serve as Utah’s acting head coach while Snyder is away from the team due to COVID.
Jazz forward Danuel House Jr. also entered the protocols and won’t play against Minnesota.
Big @UtahJazz news:
Head Coach Quin Snyder (health & safety protocols) is out tonight, lead assistant Alex Jensen will be acting head coach
Danuel House is also out tonight (health and safety protocols)
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 30, 2022
The Jazz have been hit hard by COVID throughout January. Veteran guard Joe Ingles first tested positive for the virus on January 5, while All-Star center Rudy Gobert contracted the virus shortly after.
Since then, Udoka Azubuike, Jared Butler, Rudy Gay, Elijah Hughes, and Hassan Whiteside have all missed games due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The Jazz have struggled during the stretch, dropping 10 of their last 12 games, including their last four ahead of their meeting with the Timberwolves.
House Jr. signed his third 10-day contract with the Jazz on Friday, a deal that will expire on February 6. If the veteran can clear COVID protocols in the league-required minimum of six days, he could return to practice with the team before his contract expires.
Danuel House Jr. being in health and safety protocol probably means we won't see him again in a @utahjazz uniform on his 10-day deal.
If we see him again it likely means he's been signed to a regular deal. #takenote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 30, 2022
However, if he is to suit up again for the Jazz, it will likely mean he the team signed the forward to a contract for the remainder of the season.
To complicate the Jazz injury problems, guard Donovan Mitchell has missed the last six games after suffering a concussion in the team’s January 17 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rudy Gobert meanwhile hasn’t played since last Sunday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors due to a left calf strain.
Utah’s game against Minnesota is scheduled to tip-off on Sunday, January 30 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and The Zone Sports Network.
