Following the indefinite suspension of NBA games this season, five NBA teams were reportedly told to self-quarantine, namely the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s unclear if others will be added to the list.
The common denominator between the five is they have all played against the Utah Jazz and its center Rudy Gobert within the last 10 days. The big man, as you may know, is the first player in the league to test positive with the coronavirus. Teammate Donovan Mitchell also tested positive for COVID-19, but the rest of the Jazz tests have reportedly come back negative.
Gobert has apologized for what he deems irresponsible behavior before his positive test.
Here’s an excerpt from Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps’s report:
“At least some players from teams who played against the Jazz in recent days — the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers — are being told to self-quarantine. Some players and coaches from those teams were also scrambling to be tested as early as Wednesday night after learning of Gobert’s diagnosis.”
Among the five, the most affected are the Raptors and Celtics, who are both gearing up for the playoffs. The long break, anxiety for all the tests, and everything in between could put their respective teams in a funk physically and mentally, which will be costly in an all-intense postseason atmosphere..
The article also mentioned the concern for the referees who worked the game within the said timeframe. Since the officials also worked other games in the following days, the NBA fears that they may have furthered the reach of the virus – or they could even be the source. Needless to say, the sudden chaos has turned the league upside down, generating what could possibly be its craziest day in history.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that the NBA will be suspended for at least 30 days. He has not ruled out the possibility of the season being cancelled.
Silver, on resuming the season: Hiatus “will be at least 30 days.” Then question is protocol for resuming play. That part is unclear. “It’s frankly too early to tell.” Depends on spread of virus.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) March 13, 2020
Additional safety measures have also been enacted, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The NBA has notified its teams that all players are advised to stay in their home markets, remain home as much as possible and that teams are not allowed to hold group practices, meetings or workouts through at least March 16
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 12, 2020
It’s a tough time for NBA owners, players, and fans. But let’s keep remembering that safety comes first.