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Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins enters COVID protocols ahead of win over Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins became the 14th NBA coach this season to enter COVID health and safety protocols.

Jenkins entered the coronavirus protocols on Saturday, the team announced just before their 123-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Center Steven Adams also entered protocols on Saturday.

Jenkins’ addition to the health and safety protocols came just after Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd entered on Friday. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Hawks coach Nate McMillan and Nuggets coach Michael Malone are all still out, too.

About 97% of the league is fully vaccinated, and the NBA adjusted protocols this month to allow people to return after just five days instead of 10. There have been 11 games postponed and rescheduled due to the pandemic, too, and teams have been left scrambling to try and fill their rosters just to keep competing.

The United States is averaging more than 648,000 new cases each day as of Friday night, according to The New York Times, which is a 228% increase over the past two weeks. There were almost 900,000 new cases on Friday alone.

Even though Jenkins was out, the Grizzlies still pushed past the Clippers to claim their eighth straight win — which tied a franchise record. Jaren Jackson dropped 26 points and Desmond Bane finished with 23 in the win. Star guard Ja Morant sat out on Saturday, too, due to a thigh injury.