DeMar DeRozan's MVP campaign will take a brief pause.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the newly-minted Eastern Conference Player of the Week has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.
What's next for DeRozan and the Bulls? Here's what we know about his status and potential return to action.
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Why did DeMar DeRozan enter the NBA's health and safety protocols?
According to the NBA, a vaccinated player enters the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 or receiving an inconclusive COVID-19 test result.
DeRozan is ruled out tonight vs. Denver, but it's unclear how much longer he will be out for the Bulls. DeRozan will need to show two consecutive negative PCR tests in 24 hours, or be isolated for at least 10 days. Team has now announced DeRozan's entry into protocols. https://t.co/Bds1QpdUPh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 6, 2021
The Bulls are also currently without Coby White and Javonte Green due to the health and safety protocols.
How long will DeMar DeRozan be out?
If an NBA player tests positive for COVID-19, he must spend a minimum of 10 days away from the team unless he returns two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.
In the case of a false positive, two negative tests would allow a player to return to play, as seen in the case of Lakers superstar LeBron James.
As Wojnarowski reported, DeRozan will miss Monday night's game against the Denver Nuggets, but for now, it is unclear how many games he will miss. DeRozan has played in all 24 of the Bulls' games so far this season.
MORE: LeBron discusses clearing NBA's COVID-19 protocols
Bulls upcoming schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Dec. 6 | vs. Nuggets | 8:00 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 8 | at Cavaliers | 7:00 p.m | — |
| Dec. 11 | at Heat | 8:00 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 14 | vs. Pistons | 8:00 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 16 | at Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 19 | vs. Lakers | 3:30 p.m. | — |
DeMar DeRozan stats for 2021-22 season
- 26.4 points per game
- 5.3 rebounds per game
- 4.1 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 2.0 turnovers per game
- 35.3 minutes per game
- 49.8 percent shooting
- 33.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 88.8 percent free throw shooting
DEMARVELOUS.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 6, 2021
DeMar DeRozan has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/X3Gfnlk9tr
