CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous, unrelated report.
Less than 24 hours after securing their sixth straight win last night against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have finally encountered a problem--COVID-19
The team's match-up against the Atlanta Hawks, scheduled for Sunday, December 19, has been postponed due to a covid-19 outbreak on the team.
On Sunday, the team announced that Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard all entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.
The five players join rookie center Evan Mobley -- who entered the NBA's health and safety protocols ahead of Saturday's game -- and wingman Isaac Okoro.
According to NBA rules, a vaccinated player who tests positive for COVID can only return if he does not have a fever and later tests negative twice at least 24 hours apart. In addition, those who are vaccinated but come into close contact with someone who has the virus do not have to quarantine, but must be tested daily for a week.
The association recently updated its health measures to call for more mask wearing by personnel, and testing will increase beginning after Christmas through Jan. 8. In addition, team owners are reportedly exploring an expansion of the league's hardship exemption that would allow clubs left short-handed by the virus to sign additional replacement players.
The Cleveland Cavaliers organization provided the medical update above Sunday afternoon.
This is a developing story, stay with 3News on-air an online for updates as they become available.
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*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from previous report.