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Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Cavs rookie Evan Mobley enter NBA's health and safety protocols

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant entered NBA health and safety protocols Saturday, the team announced.

The news comes a day after the Nets said they would welcome back guard Kyrie Irving on a part-time basis. Irving is not vaccinated for COVID-19 and will only be allowed to play in road games once he returns.

Irving's return was pushed back Saturday as he was also placed in the league's health and safety protocols.

Durant played in the team's most recent game, Thursday's 114-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Durant had 34 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.

The Nets were without seven players in that contest due to the league's health and safety protocols.

The team then announced on Saturday night that Day'Ron Sharpe entered protocols, which made it 10 Nets players who have been placed in protocols since Tuesday.

Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley enters health and safety protocols

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley also entered health and safety protocols Saturday, the Cavaliers announced.

Mobley, 20, did not play in the team's Wednesday game against the Houston Rockets. On Friday, the team designated Mobley as day-to-day with a hip injury. The Cavaliers placed small forward Isaac Okoro in the health and safety protocols Thursday.

In 25 games, Mobley is averaging 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Raptors add Pascal Siakam to health and safety protocols

The Toronto Raptors added forward Pascal Siakam to the health and safety protocols on Saturday, they announced just before their game against the Golden State Warriors.

The team also added Dalano Banton to protocols.

Siakam has averaged 19.1 points and a career-high 7.6 rebounds per game for the Raptors so far this season, his sixth in Toronto. Banton, who the Raptors took with the No. 46 overall pick earlier this year, has averaged 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds off the bench this season.

NBA in the midst of a league-wide COVID-19 outbreak

The Nets are among a number of teams currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Los Angeles Lakers were granted a hardship exemption to sign Isaiah Thomas after at least four players were placed in health and safety protocols, the Sacramento Kings closed their facility due to COVID-19, and the Chicago Bulls had multiple games postponed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests.

The NFL is dealing with similar outbreak issues, as over 100 players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Monday. The NFL moved multiple games as a result of outbreaks on certain teams. The NHL and NCAA have also postponed or canceled games due to COVID-19.

Kevin Durant with the Nets.
Kevin Durant was placed in NBA health and safety protocols Saturday. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)