The latest on Heat rookie Kendrick Nunn. And an update on Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic
Miami Heat starting guard Kendrick Nunn is back in the NBA’s Disney bubble.
Nunn was not available for Saturday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns after leaving the bubble because of personal reasons that were not related to COVID-19, but he reentered the league’s Central Florida campus early Sunday morning, according to a league source.
What’s next for the 25-year-old Nunn? Since he left the bubble, he needs to quarantine upon reentry.
The NBA has placed Nunn in a four-day quarantine in his hotel room that began Sunday and is contingent on the rookie testing negative for COVID-19 each day, according to a league source. He will not be available to play in Monday’s 8 p.m. matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
Length of quarantines are up to the discretion of the NBA and depend on access to testing, where a player was during his absence and other factors. Nunn was believed to have access to testing while he was away.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson served a four-day quarantine when he returned to the NBA campus after he left to tend to a family medical emergency. Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was placed in a 10-day quarantine after he left to attend a funeral, but he was also found to have dined at a gentleman’s club in Atlanta.
This four-day timetable will force Nunn to miss at least two of the Heat’s final three seeding games — Monday vs. Pacers and Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
But it’s possible Nunn could be available for Miami’s eighth and final seeding game — Friday vs. Pacers.
The Heat played without Jimmy Butler (right foot soreness), Goran Dragic (sprained left ankle), rookie forward KZ Okpala (personal reasons) and Nunn in Saturday’s loss to the Suns.
Butler and Dragic are listed as questionable for Monday’s game, but the hope is both will play against the Pacers after returning to practice Sunday. Okpala remains out.
The good news for the Heat is Nunn is on track to be ready for the Aug. 17 start of the playoffs.
Nunn, who was named Saturday as one of three finalists for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, played in each of the Heat’s first four seeding games. He averaged 7.8 points while shooting 32.4 percent from the field and 25 percent on threes in 20.9 minutes during that four-game stretch.
For the season, Nunn has averaged 15.2 points while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 35.6 percent on threes, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 66 games (all starts).
This story was originally published August 9, 2020 at 2:35 PM.
