Nets head coach Steve Nash placed in COVID health and safety protocols

Kyle Irving

Nets head coach Steve Nash placed in COVID health and safety protocols image

Nets head coach Steve Nash will miss Monday's game (Feb. 28) against the Toronto Raptors after entering the NBA's COVID health and safety protocols, the team announced.

The news came as a surprise considering it had been over a month since the last time anyone – a player or coach – had entered the league's COVID protocols following the league's outbreak in Dec. and Jan.

How long will Nash be out and who is filling in as his replacement? Here's everything we know below.

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How long will Steve Nash be out?

The announcement of Nash missing Monday's game due to COVID health and safety protocols came just moments after the Nets head coach had addressed the media ahead of their contest against the Raptors.

Nash had just mentioned that Brooklyn would be without All-Star forward Kevin Durant for the team's home-and-home series against Toronto on Monday and Tuesday, but it was hopeful to get the former MVP back later in the week for matchups against the Heat on Thursday or Celtics on Sunday.

Turns out, Nash himself may not be available after entering COVID protocols.

There was no further update on Nash's availability beyond Monday's contest, so check back when more information becomes available.

Who is filling in as Nets head coach with Steve Nash out?

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as head coach in Nash's place on Monday.

Vaughn has been an assistant coach with the Nets since 2016.

He served as interim head coach for 10 regular season games and four playoff games in 2019-20, filling in for head coach Kenny Atkinson after he and the franchise mutually agreed to part ways. Vaughn went 7-3 to close the regular season before the shorthanded Nets were swept in the playoffs by the Raptors, 4-0.

Vaughn also served as head coach of the Magic before coming to Brooklyn, spending three seasons in Orlando from 2012 to 2015.

Nets upcoming schedule 2021-22

Date Opponent Time National TV
Feb. 28 vs. Raptors 7:30 p.m.
March 1 at Raptors 7:30 p.m.
March 3 vs. Heat 7:30 p.m. TNT
March 6 at Celtics 1:00 p.m. ABC
March 8 at Hornets 7:00 p.m.
March 10 at 76ers 7:30 p.m. TNT

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.