March 11, 2020
The NBA announced the suspension of the regular season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Sources say Gobert is feeling good, strong and stable — and was feeling strong enough to play tonight.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
In a statement, the league announced that the suspension will go into affect following the conclusion of tonight’s games.
Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the Jazz’s tilt against the Oklahoma City Thunder, prompting the league to cancel the game before tip-off. Both teams were quarantined inside of the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
According to Stadium reporter Shams Charania, Gobert is “feeling good, strong and stable.”
Gobert’s diagnosis comes two days after he jokingly addressed the coronavirus scare by facetiously touching microphones and recorders placed in front of him. The Jazz center becomes the second high-profile celebrity to contract the coronavirus following Tom Hanks’ announcement that he and his wife caught the virus.
The NBA did not announce plans to resume play for the remaining regular season games or playoffs.
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson test positive for coronavirus
Trump cancels all U.S. travel to and from Europe, WHO declares pandemic
Your donation will support the student journalists of Northeastern Illinois University's The Independent, either in writers' payment, additional supplies and other items of note. Your contribution will allow us to purchase additional equipment for writers/photographers/illustrators and cover our annual website hosting costs.