Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel is out Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers because of a missed COVID-19 test, coach Billy Donovan said.
"Nerlens was extremely remorseful," Donovan said. "If I'm being totally honest, there's times I've been in my room and been like, 'Oh my god, I forgot to take my test' and I'd have to run down there and test. These days kind of run together.
"Sometimes it can slip your mind if your test isn't right around practice, it could be a little later in the day, you could forget," he said. "Everybody here has had to be personally reminded ... We've talked about we've all got to be responsible to make sure we're getting that done."
Per the Orlando bubble protocol, players must be tested every day for the virus, and a missed test requires a one-day quarantine. Noel is expected to be available for the Thunder's season re-opener on Aug. 1 against the Jazz.
Noel only appeared in one of the Thunder's three scrimmages because of a lightly sprained ankle last week.
Guard Chris Paul is sitting the Thunder's final scrimmage due to rest, and guard Terrance Ferguson is out with a leg contusion.
The Blazers are without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in their final scrimmage.
Lillard sat the team's previous scrimmage against the Raptors with inflammation in his left foot, but coach Terry Stotts said he expects Lillard to be ready for the team's first game on Friday. As for McCollum, there wasn't a reason provided for him sitting.
"He's not playing," Stotts said when asked if it was for rest.
