Celtics newcomer Fournier goes on safety protocols list

FILE – Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier, right, drives around Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Orlando won 106-83. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Rather than making his debut with the Boston Celtics on Saturday, star guard Evan Fournier was listed on the NBA’s health and safety protocols earlier in the day.

Fournier, who is averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game and was acquired Thursday from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a pair of second-round draft picks, had passed his physical with the Celtics on Friday.

Boston coach Brad Stevens, whose roster has been minus key players at various points in the season, acknowledged the frustration of waiting on Fournier, calling it “a very consistent theme for us to be missing people.”

“But hopefully that won’t be long term. We’ll see how this all goes, and go from there,” Stevens said.

Fournier’s status comes with no word on whether it involved a positive COVID-19 test or perhaps an issue of contact tracing. In the second scenario, he would need to have negative tests for seven days before he could end his quarantine.

The 28-year-old Fournier was in his seventh season with Orlando. He previously played two seasons for the Denver Nuggets, who drafted him in the first round (20th overall) in 2012.

Fournier’s 3.7 assists per game this season also mark a career-high. He has played in just 26 games this season due to back and groin injuries.