Through the Warriors’ first 10 games this season, Eric Paschall was rounding into form as the team’s small-ball center. Now he will be sidelined indefinitely as he enters the NBA’s health and safety protocols related to COVID-19.
We can tell how Paschall is feeling after he used the following GIF to express his emotions shortly after news broke of his absence.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The Athletic first reported the news that Paschall would miss Tuesday's Warriors-Pacers game due to COVID-19 protocols. But coach Steve Kerr said before Tuesday's game that he doesn't expect Paschall to miss much time.
Paschall had found a rhythm as the team’s backup center once Marquese Chriss went down with a foot injury in late December. Paschall is averaging 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 19.3 minutes this year while serving as a valuable member of the second unit, using his jump shot to stretch out opposing defenses.
RELATED: Wiseman has shown All-Star potential through 10 NBA games
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
It’s unknown if Paschall tested positive for coronavirus or if he came in contact with another person carrying COVID-19. The NBA’s protocols require either 10-12 days from the person’s first positive test, or two negative tests at least 24 hours apart via PCR testing.
Hopefully Paschall and all of his friends and family are healthy, as California struggles to meet demand to administer vaccines. The state is negotiating with the 49ers, Giants and A’s to repurpose their facilities as mass vaccination sites, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that Dodger Stadium, Petco Park and Cal Expo would be used in a similar fashion.