'It's always a concern': Chris Paul talks to Suns about navigating COVID-19 surge

LOS ANGELES – COVID-19 continues to impact the NBA in a way that brings back thoughts of when the league pressed pause on the 2019-20 season after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus, then resumed it in the Orlando Bubble.

Several teams continue to have players and coaches enter the NBA's health and safety protocols. Nine games had been postponed as of Wednesday evening, but the league has yet to call for a postponement of its 75th anniversary season.

"It's always a concern," said Suns point guard and former NBPA president, Chris Paul, Tuesday morning. "Everybody's health and safety is top priority in everything that we do, but everyone is going to try to take as many precautions as we possibly can and keep playing games."

Suns coach Monty Williams said Paul addressed teammates before a recent film session about the steps they can take to stay clear of the virus.

"It was a really short, but profound talk that we needed to have," Williams said before Tuesday's win over the Lakers in Los Angeles. "I shared a personal experience that I've been through because of the situation and then we just kind of left it at that.

Williams lost a niece to the virus.

"I just sense this human side of our team that we want to do what we can to keep the business going, but also keep our families safe and do our part," Williams added.

The NHL announced Monday it will pause its 2021-22 season from Wednesday through Saturday as COVID-19 cases are on an uptick nationally. According to CapFriendly Depth Charts, 132 NHL players are in COVID protocols.

The players are set to return to team facilities Sunday and resume daily testing.

The NHL schedule is set to continue Monday.

The NBA hasn't taken that step, but from Sunday to Jan. 19, teams can sign one replacement player for each player on their roster who tests positive for COVID-19.

"We have to make these adjustments because of the situation," Williams said Monday. "Teams are at a competitive disadvantage when you lose a guy or two. Some of these teams, it's happening every other week. Every week. I think the league is trying to help teams out. It speaks to the importance of the G-League to have guy right there who are in shape and ready to go.

Two-way players also now have an unlimited amount of time they can spend in the NBA. The Suns have two two-way players in Ish Wainright and Chandler Hutchison, who is in the G-League with Santa Cruz.

"It's not the best situation in the world, but nothing is right now," Williams continued. "We're all navigating uncertainty and depth is going to be something that's of high value. We just have to continue to adapt."

USA TODAY reported Tuesday the league informed the 10 NBA teams playing on Christmas that shifting game times is a possibility due to the virus.

The three ABC games – Celtics-Bucks, Warriors-Suns and Nets-Lakers – are top priority. Golden State plays in Phoenix at 3 p.m. .

The Hawks-Knicks game is 10 a.m. in New York while the Mavericks-Jazz matchup in Utah is set for 8:30 p.m.

"It is a tough situation," Suns wing Cam Johnson said. "And there is no correct answer. Right now, seem to be kind of pushing through, but I don't know what the future holds. Nobody knows what the future holds and that was kind of the overall arching theme of that talk (with Paul). Simply that."

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'It's always a concern': NBA continues 2021-22 season COVID-19 outbreaks