Report: Jayson Tatum Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Celtics canceled their Saturday practice and closed their facility due to coronavirus protocols.

Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn. The Celtics canceled their Saturday practice and closed their facility due to coronavirus protocols.

It was first reported Saturday afternoon by The Athletic's Shams Charania that Tatum would quarantine for 10 to 14 days due to the NBA's health and safety protocols, though it was unclear at the time if he had contracted the virus.

This report comes just a day after the Celtics announced they would be without three frontcourt players in their Friday matchup with the Wizards. Robert Williams tested positive for COVID-19, while Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson missed the game due to contact tracing, according to ESPN.

All three players reportedly rode in the same car together without masks, according to The Boston Globe. It is unclear how Tatum contracted the virus, though.

As a result of Tatum's positive test, Wizards star guard Bradley Beal will also miss Saturday's game against the Heat due to health and safety protocols after Beal and Tatum spoke on the court postgame Friday night, according to The Athletic.

The short-handed Celtics (6-3) outlasted the Wizards, 116–107, behind Tatum's 32 points, but now they will be without their leading scorer for the next five to seven games.

Tatum is coming off his best year, when he averaged 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 2019-2020. He earned his first All Star appearance and an All-NBA Third Team Selection.

The Celtics are still set to play the Heat on Sunday in Boston at 7:00 p.m. EST.