Mavericks wing Josh Green enters health and safety protocols

The Dallas Mavericks put Reggie Bullock in the health and safety protocols on Saturday, and Josh Green became the second player added to the list. He was already listed as out for the Dec. 19 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with an illness, and Green will likely miss multiple games.

The NBA is dealing with a massive COVID-outbreak in recent days. Players are testing more around the holidays, and teams are struggling to keep eight players active to have the games. Fans have seen multiple cancellations and the number of athletes in the protocols grows by the hour.

The Mavs have been lucky so far this season. Bullock and Green were the first two players to enter the health and safety protocols. Fans remember the team was hit hard last season and endured a rough stretch with multiple players out of the lineup. Hopefully, things do not reach that point again. Here is a closer look at why Green’s absence comes at a bad time.

Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green enters health and safety protocols

Green has struggled to get consistent playing time in his first two seasons with the Mavs, but he had been in the rotation for six straight games. The 21-year-old took advantage of Sterling Brown being out with a foot injury, and he had shown some flashes.

Now, Green will miss some time, and he will need to earn his place in the rotation going forward. The 6’5 wing is going to struggle to get on the court when Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, and Brown are all healthy, but Green needs minutes to continue his development.

It will be interesting to see how much Josh Green plays this season. The Dallas Mavericks want to win their first playoff series since 2011, and he will need to prove he can help them accomplish that goal. It is something to watch moving forward.