By George Efkarpidis/ Gefkarpidis@eurohoops.net
While the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz were getting ready to take the floor tonight, both teams were summoned back to their locker-rooms.
French star Rudy Gobert who was questionable with illness was tested and found positive for coronavirus, per ESPN.
The NBA immediately suspended action starting tomorrow while the Thunder and Jazz players remain quarantined in Oklahoma City.
Per the press release: The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. 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 NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gobert was not in the arena of the game between OKC and Jazz, however his condition automatically provoked the decision. A few days ago, Gobert despite the precautionary measures taken by the NBA had touched all the microphones and recorders lined in front of him during a media availability.
Is this the Rudy Gobert microphone incident in question? pic.twitter.com/5pzIuvGMGd
— Eagle-Eyed Social Media User Dan Why-Ner (@DanWeiner) March 12, 2020
The Jazz issued the following statement on the whole matter:
This morning a player on the Utah Jazz tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. The individual’s symptoms diminished over the course of today, however, in a precautionary measure, and in consultation and cooperation with NBA medical staff and Oklahoma health officials, the decision was made to test for COVID-19.
A preliminary positive result came back right before tip-off of the Utah Jazz-Oklahoma City game. Subsequently, the decision was correctly made by the NBA to postpone the game. When it was determined that the individual would be tested, we immediately informed the league office. The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation are paramount in our discussions.
We are working closely with the CDC, Oklahoma and Utah state officials and the NBA to determine how to best move forward as we gather more information. The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City. In coordination with the NBA and state officials, we will provide updates at the appropriate time.