Nets’ Jordan contracts COVID-19; will not go to Disney World
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a huge blow to one of the teams the Kings will face when the NBA season resumes July 30 at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.
Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan announced Monday he will not participate in the NBA restart after testing positive for COVID-19. Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie announced he had tested positive earlier in the day, saying his status for the Florida games is also in doubt.
The Kings are scheduled to face the Nets on Aug. 7, one of eight seeding games Sacramento will play to close out the regular season. Nets stars Kevin Durant (Achilles) and Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and rookie forward Nicolas Claxton (shoulder) have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and forward Wilson Chandler has chosen not to play in Florida.
Jordan averaged 8.3 points and 10.0 rebounds in a backup role for the Nets this season. He was an All-NBA First Team selection in 2016 and an All-Star in 2017 while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Found out last night and confirmed again today that I’ve tested positive for Covid while being back in market,” Jordan said on Twitter. “As a result of this, I will not be in Orlando for the resumption of the season.”
Dinwiddie emerged as an AllStar candidate in the absence of Irving this season. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists before the NBA suspended its season due to the coronavirus outbreak on March 11.
“Over the past few months, I have been diligent about protecting myself and others from COVID-19 by following all designated protocol and quarantining,” Dinwiddie told The Athletic. “I was ready and prepared to rejoin my teammates as we were to be an early entry team in the resumed season. I flew private to return to New York, passed multiple COVID-19 tests over my first several days in New York and was able to participate in a couple practices within the first week.
“Originally, we were supposed to be one of the teams to enter into the Orlando bubble early, but training camp got switched back to New York and unfortunately I am now positive. Given that I have experienced symptoms, including fever and chest tightness, it is unclear on whether or not I’ll be able to participate in Orlando.”
Chandler announced Sunday
shot a 4-under 68 to qualify second, and Russell Humphrey of Lodi shot a 73 to fall short.
The third qualifier, Tuesday at Baylands Golf Course in Palo Alto, had no locals competing. The final NCGA qualifier is July 6 at San Jose Country Club.
Despite winds gusting to 20 miles per hour by Aberle’s estimation, he started strong with 5 straight pars. He birdied holes 6, 8 and 13, and bogeyed 18.
And through the entire round, strict rules were in place for social distancing to say safe in the era of COVID-19. Masks were required when social distancing was not possible, flagsticks were not to be touched or moved by hand, and foam liners were installed in the holes to prevent players from reaching too far in and touching the sides.
“We can only keep scores on your phone this time. I don’t find anything bad with it, it’s normal,” Aberle said. “You can social distance pretty well in golf. Everything but the cups are normal.”