Josh Richardson Reinstates COVID Protocols After Getting Cleared Last Week

Celtics

Richardson scored 27 points, a season high, on Saturday.

Celtics goalie Josh Richardson is back in health and safety protocols, according to the team.

Richardson was cleared for the last two games by multiple negative COVID tests, and he scored a high 27 points against the Knicks on Saturday. A positive test forced him to miss the last game of the team’s recent trip to the west coast, and he was forced to self-quarantine at an AirBnb in Phoenix – staying behind as the team returned home to play against the Bucks.

“I found out that I had tested positive or whatever on the morning of [Suns] Game [on Dec. 10]Richardson said. “They left, and I was relaxing, I stayed for four days. I watched a lot of movies, I slept a lot. My Xbox was down as well, which made it worse. I couldn’t play the game the way I wanted. But I was just on a bike, I had a little weight room so everything was fine.

Richardson struggled with COVID in January while playing for the Mavericks, but he was non-engagement with journalists on his vaccination status during media day. According to NBA protocols, unvaccinated players must quarantine themselves for seven days after close contact with a player who tests positive.

On Saturday, a reporter asked Richardson if he was surprised he tested negative so quickly. Richardson said he wasn’t, but declined to elaborate further.

“When I came back that first game I was a little worried about my wind and how I was going to be able to hold on,” said Richardson. “Because it’s hard to fake a game, a form of a game. I was pushing myself when I was out, but I was thankful that I was able to get those two negative tests quickly and come back. I resisted better than I thought.

The Celtics now have seven players officially absent for Monday’s game against the 76ers. Three others are questionable – Jayson Tatum, Dennis Schröder and Romeo Langford. The eight players available are Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Payton Pritchard, Aaron Nesmith, Bruno Fernando, Enes Freedom and Justin Jackson. They could still add players via the hardship exception.