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According to multiple reports, the Portland Trail Blazers’ small forward Carmelo Anthony will not be making the trip to Los Angeles with the rest of the team due to “health and safety protocols. The team made the announcement to several media outlets.
Portland's Carmelo Anthony didn't make the trip to Los Angeles for Monday's game vs. the Lakers because of "health and safety" protocols, team says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 28, 2020
Marc Stein noted that Anthony played 20 minutes in the matchup against the Houston Rockets.
The Blazers say Carmelo Anthony is not with the team in Los Angeles for Monday's game against the Lakers because of the league's health and safety protocols. Anthony played 20 minutes in Portland's OT win Saturday over Houston
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 28, 2020
AJ McCord of KOIN News reported that according to Anthony’s Instagram, he had been looking forward to the matchup with LeBron James.
Carmelo Anthony is not with the Blazers in Los Angeles ahead of their game against the #LakeShow bc of “health & safety protocols” the team just announced.
— AJ McCord (@AJ_McCord) December 28, 2020
Melo posted this photo of LeBron defending him with the caption “tomorrow” earlier today #RipCity pic.twitter.com/chldoYdiFy
Anthony isn’t the only Blazer staying home. Zach Collins remains out following surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left ankle, while Nassir Little is still in health and safety protocols, according to Jamie Hudson of NBC Sports Northwest.
Blazers Injury Report:
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) December 28, 2020
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture) and Nassir Little (Health and Safety Protocols) are out. Carmelo Anthony is not with team (Health and Safety Protocols) for Monday's game at LA Lakers.
What Anthony’s status does for the second unit remains to be seen. It will free up minutes at the small forward slot, but who will take those minutes is still a matter of speculation.
This story will be updated as more news of Anthony’s status becomes available.