Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman enters COVID protocols

HOUSTON — Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman entered the health and safety protocols Saturday, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post, meaning that assistant Popeye Jones, who joined the staff this season, will serve as acting head coach.

Adelman was filling in for Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who also entered the health and safety protocols this week.

With Adelman’s addition, the Nuggets now have four coaches in the protocol and four players, in addition to numerous staffers.

After Bones Hyland, Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji all entered protocols on Thursday, Nuggets guard Monte Morris joined them on Friday.

The Nuggets signed Rayjon Tucker, Carlik Jones and Davon Reed, all on 10-day hardship exceptions, to help fill out the thinning roster.

The Nuggets take on Houston on Saturday evening followed by a trip to Dallas on Monday.

ESPN first reported the Adelman news.