New Celtics forward Evan Fournier remains in NBA's protocols

The Celtics were hoping Evan Fournier would make his debut with the team on Saturday night, but he is listed on the injury report as being in the league’s health and safety protocols, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive.

Privacy regulations prevent the Celtics and the NBA from releasing any more information on Fournier, who was acquired from the Magic at Thursday’s trade deadline. Coach Brad Stevens told reporters Friday that Fournier was in Boston to take his physical.

There’s no way to know how long Fournier will be required to stay in the protocols, but players who are undergoing contact tracing typically return within seven days if they continue to test negative for COVID-19. Terada points out that the Celtics have only 27 games remaining and would face a limited time to get Fournier accustomed to his new teammates if he’s out for an extended period.

Boston is also listing Romeo Langford and Tristan Thompson out due to health and safety protocols, Terada adds. Langford has been in the protocols since the All-Star break, but there’s hope he can return next week. Thompson has missed the past seven games, and there’s no timetable for him to come back.