Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker placed in health and safety protocols

Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and could miss multiple games, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The team canceled practice Tuesday, citing COVID-19 concerns, but still plans to fly to Dallas for Wednesday’s game, according to Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register (Twitter link).

Sources told Dave McMenamin of ESPN that a player tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link), and the Lakers later confirmed that it was Horton-Tucker. Other team members were required to take both a rapid test and a PCR test before gathering for the flight.

The positive test means Horton-Tucker will be out of action for at least 10 days unless he can return negative tests at least 24 hours apart. L.A. plays five times during that span, with a three-game road trip against the Mavericks, Timberwolves and Bulls, followed by home games with the Suns and Spurs. Horton-Tucker could return for a Christmas Day showdown with the Nets if he clears protocols.

He has moved into a starting role in his third NBA season and has responded by averaging career highs with 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.