
The NBA season has been suspended in wake of the coronavirus.
Just prior to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Moments later, the NBA released a statement confirming the report, adding that Gobert’s positive test was revealed just moments before the Jazz were set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That game was canceled and all players are expected to be tested for COVID-19. Gobert was not in the building, the NBA said. That said, Gobert reportedly touched every reporter’s recording device just two days ago (March 9).
As part of the Jazz’s COVID-19 response, shootaround availability was done in the ZBBC media room today rather than on the court. As Rudy Gobert got finished discussing the situation, he stood up, leaned over and made it a point to touch every mic and recorder in front of him. 😂
— tribjazz (@tribjazz) March 9, 2020
The season will be suspended following Wednesday night’s games and a decision of what happens next is yet to be determined as the league monitors the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA announces it has suspended the season following a positive COVID-19 test result for a Utah Jazz player. pic.twitter.com/59UjnoyKDO
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) March 12, 2020
The Timberwolves have 18 games left in the season and were not scheduled to play again until Friday night, in Oklahoma City.
This is a developing story.
The NBA has suspended its season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
The NBA has suspended the season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020