COVID causes UCLA basketball cancellation, Rams sideline 3 more players

The coronavirus pandemic continued to have an impact on Los Angeles sports teams Wednesday, causing the UCLA men’s basketball game not to be played and the Rams placing three more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

UCLA issued a statement at 7:01 p.m. that its “men’s basketball home game against Alabama State on Wednesday, Dec. 15, will not be played as scheduled due to COVID-19 protocols.” The game had been set to start at 8:05 p.m.

UCLA announced at 3:15 p.m. that Mick Cronin would not coach the game “due to COVID-19 protocols.” The team will be coached instead by associate head coach Darren Savino, according to the university.

The Bruins, ranked fourth in The Associated Press poll released Monday, are next scheduled to play Saturday against North Carolina in Las Vegas.

Rams linebacker Justin Hollins and tight ends Johnny Mundt and Jared Pinkney were all added to the team’s COVID list Wednesday, raising to 16 the number of players the team has put on the list in recent days.

Among those on the COVID reserve list are star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., cornerback Jalen Ramsey and running back Darrell Henderson Jr.

Vaccinated players can return to the squad if they test negative twice at least 24 hours apart. Unvaccinated players must remain isolated for 10 days.

The Rams are scheduled to play host to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.

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