Miami Heat guard Avery Bradley has revealed that he’s been sidelined since January 9, after testing positive for COVID-19 and placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol.
The 6-foot-2 defensive stalwart spoke on numerous topics and specifically about his raw emotions upon receiving the news.
“To be honest, I was upset because I come to work and I do the right things, I come to work every single day and do all the protocols to make sure I’m protected so I can protect my family. To come up with the news knowing that I got it at work, I was a little frustrated to be honest,” Bradley said. ” “I was frustrated because I felt like it compromised my family’s safety.”
Bradley has a seven-year-old son — Liam — who suffers from a respiratory illness. Having already lost both of his parents, it was a significant factor in why he opted against playing in the Orlando bubble last season when he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Posted Up w/ C. Haynes Pod: Heat’s Avery Bradley on testing positive for COVID-19, health & safety protocol process, return date, gift received from LAL, bond w/ Kyrie Irving & being on Lakers’ plane when Kobe Bryant died
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— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 25, 2021
After receiving a positive result, his immediate concern was for his wife and son.
“I felt a lot better knowing my family was safe and no one had it,” Bradley said. “My family got tested two times in a row to make sure they were fine. I was able to come home and be in our little guest area and see my kids and my wife through a window, which was frustrating. Hopefully I can stay away from the COVID thing.”
The 11-year veteran has only played in seven games in his first season with the Heat, averaging 10 points in 22.9 minutes and shooting 44.8% from 3-point range.
He said he plans to make his return to action on January 27, against the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s tough. We’re all making adjustments to this new normal way everyone has to live. It’s been frustrating not being able to get on the court and play for two weeks. … My family is all I have and I’m all they have,” Bradley said in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
