The NBA has suspended the 2019-20 season “until further notice” on Thursday (12.03.20).
This is after French national and Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert aged 27 tested positive for the coronavirus.
Earlier in the week, Gobert ended a press conference by joking with reporters and touching their phones, microphones, and recorders. It came just days after communication from the NBA to players telling them how seriously they should take the coronavirus.
“The NBA is suspending gameplay following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent on Thursday afternoon according to Fox Sports.
“The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was minutes away when they were told to return to their respective locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Emmanual Mudiay, another player who was listed as out with an illness, was also being tested for COVID-19, sources said before the entire Jazz roster was forced to undergo testing.
In response to Gobert’s positive test, the NBA is telling the teams who’ve played the Jazz within the past 10 days to self-quarantine. Those teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. ESPN reported 34 players would come under the self-quarantine umbrella.
Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, said the NBA told him teams can continue to practice.
Following the suspension of the season, Los Angeles Lakers centre LeBron James tweeted that 2020 should be cancelled.
The suspension of the NBA comes after the postponement of a couple of games in the EPL, La Liga and Serie A football leagues over Coronavirus as reported by The Sauce.
