Siakam out, Scariolo runs Raptors bench vs. Rockets
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam missed Friday's game against the Houston Rockets due to health and safety protocols. Toronto's leading scorer joined head coach Nick Nurse and five assistants on the list of those missing the contest.
Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo served as the Raptors' bench boss.
Siakam had an inconclusive rapid COVID-19 test Friday, according to Sportsnet's Michael Grange. If further tests come back negative, he could be available to return Sunday.
The Raptors said earlier Friday that Nurse and the affected coaching staff would "continue to work remotely, and details on their return will be communicated when appropriate."
Scariolo had been away from the club while coaching Spain's national team during EuroBasket 2022 qualifiers earlier this month. The Italian native had been in quarantine after returning to the United States, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
Team general manager Bobby Webster responded to questions before the game, including whether it was legitimately possible for point guard Kyle Lowry to coach the squad. Webster said the league's CBA wouldn't allow it.
"You can't really pay a player to do anything outside of his contract," the GM said. "We make jokes about it, but he does so much out on the court ... obviously with Fred (VanVleet) as well, those guys are in many ways the de facto coaches out there."
Toronto last played Wednesday night in Miami and Friday's game marked the start of a three-game homestand in Tampa against the Rockets.