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.
MORE: Watch NBA games live with Sling TV (3-day free trial)
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.
Nets say coach Steve Nash will not coach tonight’s game vs. Toronto due to health and safety protocols. Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will assume head coaching duties.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 1, 2022
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 |
