NBA matches suspended
The National Basketball Association season has been suspended, after a coronavirus scare caused the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder-utah Jazz game to be postponed just seconds before it was about to start.
The Jazz and Thunder players have been quarantined in the OKC arena, league sources told ESPN, adding that Jazz player Rudy Gobert reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
The suspension is effective after yesterday’s games, the NBA said.
ESPN journalist Royce Young reported, via social media, that all players from the Jazz and Thunder squads are being tested for coronavirus in their respective locker rooms.
In a statement, the NBA confirmed a player had tested positive but did not name Gobert.
‘‘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 tipoff of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at
Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was cancelled. The affected player was not in the arena,’’ the league said .
‘‘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.’’
Utah Jazz has issued a statement advising that a player tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection on the morning of the Thunder game.
‘‘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,’’ the statement read.
Earlier, no reason had been given by the Jazz and Thunder teams and the NBA for the postponement, but half an hour later ESPN tweeted that the NBA season had been suspended.
The starting lineups were announced, and it appeared the game was ready to start. Then, after conversation among the officials, the teams went back to the locker rooms and the officials left the floor.