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After a victory on Monday, the Atlanta Hawks were scheduled to begin a three-game road trip on Wednesday evening in Phoenix against the Suns. However, the game is now postponed, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Atlanta vs. Phoenix tonight has been postponed, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
Shortly after Wojnarowski’s reporting came to light, Trae Young seemingly checked in with disappointment.
damn...
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 13, 2021
Sarah Spencer of the AJC also confirmed the postponement.
At the time of this post, the reasoning for the postponement is unclear. However, the Suns faced the Washington Wizards in their most recent game, and Washington’s scheduled contest against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday was postponed due to contact tracing and extensive roster absences for the Wizards.
Contact tracing with Phoenix players is a factor because Suns played the Wizards on Monday, per sources. Wizards have positive tests on roster. https://t.co/C8DUWVOQxs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
The Hawks have been told contact tracing (Phoenix recently played Washington) is the reason for the postponement, source confirms.
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) January 13, 2021
Finally, the NBA officially announced the postponement at 11:31 am ET, indicating that “because of ongoing contact tracing within the Suns, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Hawks.”
No. 6 overall pick Onyeka Okongwu was scheduled to make his NBA debut on Wednesday, though he was officially listed as probable as a result of the left foot injury that has sidelined him for the first ten games. The Hawks are scheduled to face the Utah Jazz on Friday evening and the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday before returning home for an MLK Day match-up against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Stay tuned.