Monday's match-up between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks has been delayed, as has the game between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls slated for Tuesday.

Ongoing contact tracing with the Mavericks and Celtics teams left them short of the league-mandated eight players.

They are the second and third postponements announced in 24 hours after the league also halted Sunday's game between the Celtics and Miami Heat.

The NBA said the postponements were made in accordance with the league's health and safety protocols but did not elaborate, adding that it planned to meet with its players' association on Monday to discuss modifying those protocols.

The league has said it has no plans to put its season on hold, as teams struggle to make available an eight-man roster for games due to injuries and COVID-19 contact tracing.

After putting the season on hold in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA organised the rest of the games in a secure "bubble" environment at Walt Disney World in Florida.

But the NBA started its 2020-2021 season in December with most teams playing in their home markets.

Australian Associated Press