5 NBA players stepping up during the COVID surge

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021 in New York City, 5 NBA players stepping up during the COVID surge. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-91. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

For the first stretch of the 2021-22 NBA season, it appeared the impacts of COVID-19 would be less pronounced than a year ago. While some notable players were on the sidelines, the postponements that wreaked havoc on the schedule last year weren’t happening.

Unfortunately, that changed a few weeks ago with the emergence of the omicron variant, which has led to a massive spike in cases across the country. Professional sports leagues have been badly impacted and the NBA is no exception.

What NBA players have stepped up the most during the recent COVID surge?

Three weeks ago, the Chicago Bulls became the first team to have a major outbreak of cases. It resulted in the first two postponements of the season in the league.

About a dozen games have been postponed as players shuffle in and out of the league’s health and safety protocols. Luka Doncic was the latest star to enter the protocols this week.

The number of stars and big-name NBA players sidelined by the protocols has allowed unexpected and unknown players to step into the limelight. In the past couple of weeks, these players have propped up their teams and, in essence, propped up the league to continue to play despite the noise around a potential pause to the season.

As the protocols change over the season, it’s possible some of these players will have less of an opportunity to show out. But the league and their teams will always be grateful these players stepped up during one of the darker periods of the season.

Here are five NBA players rising to the occasion.

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