DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons will be without head coach Dwane Casey on Monday night. The team announced that he has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Casey is now the 15th head coach in the NBA to enter.
In his absence assistant coach, Rex Kalamian will serve as head coach. The Pistons (8-30) host the Utah Jazz (28-12) at Little Caesars Arena on Monday (7 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit).
Kalamian has subbed in for Casey several times already this season. He filled in for Casey for a number of road games when the Pistons head coach missed them for personal reasons.
The Pistons have already had nine players enter the NBA’s coronavirus protocols since Dec. 22, as well as a number of assistant coaches and team staff members, have tested positive.
This isn’t the first time that Casey has had a brush with the coronavirus. He shared in March of last season that he tested positive for COVID around the same time former Pistons center Christian Wood tested positive when the NBA paused its season on March 11, 2020.
Eight players have returned to action after missing games and Frank Jackson is the only player who remains in the league’s coronavirus protocols.