Source: Celtics player tests positive; 2 more out

The Boston Celtics will be without their entire frontcourt rotation for Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards after announcing Grant Williams, Robert Williams and Tristan Thompson are out due to the NBA’s coronavirus protocol.

Robert Williams has tested positive for COVID-19, while Thompson and Grant Williams are out due to contact tracing, a source confirmed to ESPN. The positive test for Robert Williams was first reported by The Boston Globe.

Those three players — along with reserve guard Carsen Edwards — had been listed as questionable by the Celtics on Thursday night for the same reason, a day after Boston finished a four-game road trip with a win in Miami thanks to a last-second tip-in by rookie Payton Pritchard.

The team said Edwards would be available to play against Washington.

Boston did not practice Thursday and did not hold a shootaround Friday. While the team didn’t announce a reason the three players will have to sit Friday, it appeared all of them were in a contact tracing situation like the one several Houston Rockets found themselves in earlier this season, based off the timeline of events.

With the three absent — and it’s unclear how long each of them will be out — Boston has only two healthy and available big men for Friday’s game — Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall.

Boston is still waiting to see whether Jeff Teague, who missed the past two games with a sprained left ankle, will be able to play against Washington. He remains questionable.

Kemba Walker (knee) and Romeo Langford (wrist) remain out. Javonte Green, who missed Boston’s road trip because of the health and safety protocols, will be available to play Friday.

After Friday’s game, the Celtics have upcoming games scheduled against Miami (Sunday), at Chicago (Tuesday), vs. Orlando (Wednesday) and at Orlando (next Friday).

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