The 2020 NBA season has come to an abrupt halt, as all games have been suspended following a player for the Utah Jazz testing positive for the coronavirus
The NBA season is the latest victim of the coronavirus, as the 2020 season has been suspended. It was announced shortly before the Utah Jazz were to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 11 that the game was cancelled due to “unforseen circumstances.” It turned out that Jazz star Rudy Gobert had tested positive for the coronavirus. Players from the Jazz and Thunder have been placed under quarantine, according to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” the league said in a statement.
Adrian reported that “I’ve been told that Rudy Gobert was never at the arena tonight, but he was in OKC. If he had been cleared of the virus, he was set to play.” Video of the 27-year-old touching all of the reporters’ microphones following the Jazz’ March 9 game against the Toronto Raptors has gone viral. He did it during a post-game news conference following the team’s 101-92 loss to the reigning NBA champs.
The Jazz released a statement saying that one of their players “tested negative this morning for influenza, strep throat, and an upper respiratory infection.” They said that “his symptoms diminished throughout the day, but in cooperation with the NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officials, the decision was made to test for COVID-19.” The team said a preliminary test came back positive just before tip-off and the decision was made to postpone the game. The league was notified as soon as it was determined that the player was going to be tested for the coronavirus.
The NBA "will use hiatus to determine next steps moving forward," league says. https://t.co/tWoRO8pbfT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
NBA player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 tonight, according to @ShamsCharania & @TheAthleticNBA.
On Monday, he jokingly touched every microphone and recorder after media availability.
?: @DanWeiner pic.twitter.com/ufQJewYO8G
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 12, 2020
Just before tip-off, an announcement came over the PA system for spectators to leave “due to unforeseen circumstances” before commenting, “you are all safe,” fans to exit Chesapeake Energy Arena “in a orderly fashion.”
Sourse: hollywoodlife.com
