Raptors game at Chicago postponed, Toronto unable to field NBA minimum of 8 players

• Raptors game at Chicago postponed, Toronto unable to field minimum of 8 players
• Laval denied chance to host AHL all-star event for 2nd straight year
• Nets vs. Trail Blazers game postponed due to depleted squad
• Jets, Eagles head coaches test positive for COVID-19

The NBA has postponed Toronto's game at Chicago tonight because the Raptors do not have the required eight players available.

The announcement from the NBA comes a day after the Raptors added four players to the league's COVID-19 protocols, giving them a total of seven players sidelined for novel coronavirus reasons.

A Raptors spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that forward OG Anunoby has become the eighth player on the team to enter the league's COVID-19 protocols. Anunoby had just returned from a left hip pointer that kept him out of 13 games.

Fred VanVleet, Malachi Flynn, Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa were added yesterday, joining Gary Trent Jr., Pascal Siakam and Dalano Banton. Additionally, centre Khem Birch is out with knee swelling.

The Raptors attempted to make up the numbers by signing several players from the G-League under the NBA's hardship clause.

Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ont., Brandon Goodwin, Juwan Morgan, and Tremont Waters have been signed by the Raptors from the G-League under the NBA's hardship clause.

It's the third game the Raptors have had postponed, along with Monday's home game against Orlando and a home date with the Bulls on Dec. 13.

AHL cancels all-star event in Laval, Que.

The American Hockey League's All-Star Classic scheduled for early next year in Laval, Que., has been cancelled due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's the second straight year the all-star event has been scrapped after being scheduled to take place in Laval. The 2021 All-Star Classic was postponed after the start of the 2020-21 AHL season was delayed until Dec. 4, 2020 due to concerns over the pandemic.

AHL president and chief executive officer Scott Howson said he is committed to bringing the All-Star Classic to Laval in the future.

The last AHL all-star game to be held in Canada was in 2014 at the Mile One Centre in St. John's, N.L.

Nets vs. Trail Blazers game postponed

The Brooklyn Nets' game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday has been postponed because the Nets do not have the required number of players, the NBA said on Wednesday, amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The NBA said on its website that the Nets had 10 players in health and safety protocols as of Tuesday.

"The Nets do not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with the game against the Trail Blazers," the NBA said in a statement. The game was scheduled to be played in Portland.

Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league has no plans to pause its season.

Jets' Saleh, Eagles' Sirianni test positive for COVID

The Jets' Robert Saleh and Eagles' Nick Sirianni tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling symptoms in the morning.

For New York, it's the latest in what has been a surge of coronavirus cases on the team. The Jets have 17 players from the active and practice squad rosters, including injured reserve, on the COVID-19 list. Saleh, who plans to continue running team meetings virtually, could return as soon as Thursday if he no longer shows symptoms and tests negative.

Sirianni also tested positive after feeling symptoms. He's isolating at a hotel and pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo would handle coaching duties if Sirianni doesn't clear protocols in time for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Browns second-year coach Kevin Stefanski cleared COVID-19 protocols Wednesday and returned to the team after missing Monday's 16-14 home loss to Las Vegas.

The Browns were rocked by the virus last week, when an outbreak led to 22 players missing the rescheduled game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield still hasn't produced a required negative test and his status at Green Bay is unclear.

Stefanski said players who tested positive before Dec. 15 will be eligible to play Saturday – the conclusion of their 10-day window – so long as they're asymptomatic. That would include Mayfield and backup QB Case Keenum. Third-stringer Nick Mullens and played well in his first start since last season with San Francisco.