Sixers' Rivers, Johnson, Powell enter protocols

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Sixers HC Doc Rivers, guards Tyler Johnson, Myles Powell enter health and safety protocols

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/30/21

The Philadelphia 76ers will close out their 2021 calendar on Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets, and they'll be without multiple bodies, including their head coach, due to COVID-19.

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers has entered the league’s Covid protocols, team source tells ESPN. Assistant Dan Burke will take over as acting coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021

Sixers’ Myles Powell and Tyler Johnson have entered Covid protocols and will be out vs. Brooklyn tonight, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021

Wojnarowski noted that Rivers joins a lengthy list of head coaches who are currently in the league's protocols, including Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers, Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns.

Powell went undrafted in 2020 and signed with the New York Knicks last November. He played 13 games with the organization's G League affiliate — the Westchester Knicks — last year and was signed and waived multiple times before ultimately being waived by the Knicks on Oct. 14, 2021.

The 24-year-old signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia on Dec. 19 and played in his first two NBA games, totaling three points and one rebound in 12 minutes of action.

The Sixers are Johnson's fourth NBA team since he debuted in January 2015. The 29-year-old signed a 10-day contract with the club on Dec. 22 and has played in three contests, totaling 11 points, six rebounds and two assists over 38 minutes of play.

More must-reads: