COVID continues to ravage the nation and the NBA. Case in point, Ersan Ilyasova — a player the Chicago Bulls signed using the NBA’s hardship exception just a few days ago — has entered health and safety protocols.
Ilyasova becomes the 16th Bulls’ player sidelined due to COVID. He’s also the second player signed through the hardship exception to enter the protocols before playing a game with the Bulls.
Bulls list Ersan Ilyasova out vs. Hawks after landing in protocols. That’s now 16 Bulls and a head coach.
Derrick Jones Jr. is questionable with his hamstring.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 28, 2021
Ilyasova has been on the bench for the Bulls, but he has not entered a game. It will be interesting to see what the Bulls’ roster looks like when he clears protocols. Chances are that enough players will be back and Ilyasova will end up on the chopping block before he even gets to play.
That being said, hopefully Ilyasova is alright and can get back soon. The 12-year veteran big man can still get shots up from three, and an NBA team can never have enough of that.
Here is an all-encompassing look at Ilyasova’s highlights with the Bulls before entering the protocols:
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