Pistons' Dwane Casey Enters COVID-19 Protocols; Rex Kalamian to Be Acting HC vs. Jazz

Rob Goldberg @@TheRobGoldbergFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 10, 2022

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on December 29, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons announced Monday head coach Dwane Casey has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols, via Lauren L. Williams of MLive.com.

The team announced Rex Kalamian will serve as the team's acting coach for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz.

Detroit also has a game on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls before hosting the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Kalamian also took over as an acting coach for the Dec. 16 game against the Indiana Pacers, which Casey missed due to personal reasons. Detroit suffered a 122-113 loss in that game, one of 14 straight during a particularly rough stretch for the squad.

The veteran coach is in his first year with Detroit, but he has over two decades of experience in the NBA and has been an assistant coach for six different organizations.

It's his third time serving under Casey as the two worked together with the Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Pistons enter Monday with the second-worst record in the NBA at 8-30, although three wins in the last five games have shown signs of life.

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Casey is in his fourth year with the Pistons, accumulating just an 89-169 regular-season record during this span. After reaching the playoffs in 2018-19, Detroit is headed toward its third straight losing season.