Rudy Gobert Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Leads To NBA Season Suspension

Even the NBA was not spared from the coronavirus outbreak. On Wednesday, the league announced the suspension of the current season after one of its players tested positive for the virus.

It was confirmed that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested for the COVID-19, Wweek.com reported. The confirmation came before tipoff of the game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Jazz in Oklahoma. The game was abruptly canceled as a result.

“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” the league’s statement reads, ABC News reported. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.”

The league did not announce when games will result. “The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the statement said. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine the next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Previously, the league considered the possibility of playing games in empty arenas. However, some players such as LeBron James spoke against the plan.

“Man we canceling sporting events, school, office work, etc, etc,” James tweeted. “What we really need to cancel is 2020! Damn it’s been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe.”

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry also expressed his opinion on the possibility of playing without an audience. “The only thing is try to have a conversation about how you raise your level of intensity from the jump because you don't have that actual adrenaline rush of playing in front of 18,000 people like that,” Curry said.

“Such a weird night but I am truly thankful for each and every person during this 22yr journey,” NBA Hall of Famer Vince Carter tweeted. “If this is really it, I thank everyone for your love and support for all these years.”

Carter originally planned to retire by the end of this season. But the announcement of the season’s suspension meant that his career abruptly ended on Wednesday.

At the moment, most NBA teams still have between 15 to 20 games left to play. The regular season was supposed to end on April 15. It is yet unclear how the league will handle the current rankings.