Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Three additional NBA games were postponed Wednesday as the league continues to deal with COVID-19 issues.
Wednesday's matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns was pushed back, and the league later postponed Friday's games between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors at the host Suns.
"The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena has been postponed in accordance with the league's health and safety protocols," the NBA said in a statement Wednesday.
"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."
Contact tracing with Suns players is a factor because Phoenix played the Wizards on Monday. Washington has had multiple positive COVID-19 tests within its roster, leading to the postponement of its game Wednesday.
Nine NBA games, including eight since Sunday, have now been postponed this season due to health and safety protocols.
Meanwhile, New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson was ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of the league's health and safety protocols.
Williamson was placed in the protocol as a result of an inconclusive test, according to the team. The Pelicans are awaiting the results of an additional test, and it remains unclear whether the former Duke star will miss more than one game.
"He had inconclusive [COVID-19 test] results and the timing became a factor," Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's not with us here at the game tonight. He's back in his hotel room. We'll know more as further results come back."
Williamson has averaged 21.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in nine games this season.
