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SALT LAKE CITY — COVID-19 has hit the Jazz again.
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Sunday, forcing him away from the team.
Lead assistant Alex Jensen will serve as head coach until Snyder can return, beginning with Sunday's game in Minnesota.
Snyder is the 18th NBA head coach to test positive for COVID-19, so Jensen has been preparing for this exact scenario. Actually doing it, though, is a bit different.
"With COVID, and all the head coaches going out, it's in the back of your mind, so you're prepared for it," Jensen said. "Going through it is nothing like preparing for it."
Jensen received the news Sunday afternoon that he would be taking over. He had a conversation with Snyder, who was at morning shootaround on Sunday before he got a positive test, going over details.
His job, he said, is simple enough: Let the players play and not get too much in the way. Though, he won't have the usual roster at his disposal.
The Jazz will be without Rudy Gobert (calf strain), Donovan Mitchell (concussion), Trent Forrest (ankle) and Danuel House Jr., who also entered the league's health and safety protocols am Sunday.
But, he admitted, with all the stuff — be it COVID or injuries — the Jazz have dealt with this month, he's hoping it all can make the team stronger in the long run. He includes himself in that.
With Jensen replacing Snyder, who gets his usual lead assistant spot?
"I told them they could decide that. It's whoever gets to the chair first," Jensen said.
As for Snyder, Jensen said that he was currently feeling "all right" but acknowledged that could change.
