No fine or suspension for ‘careless’ Jazz star Gobert
Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert, who apologized for acting carelessly before being diagnosed with coronavirus on Wednesday, won’t be fined or suspended by the NBA, according to a report by Yahoo Sports.
Gobert joked on Monday about the NBA’S policy to keep media members at a safe distance from players in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He touched all the microphones and other recording equipment at the press table before after concluding interviews with the media in a room at the team’s press facility.
He also continued to high-five teammates before it was announced that coronavirus had become a pandemic. Gobert’s diagnosis led the NBA to suspend its season indefinitely.
After Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell confirmed Thursday that he tested positive for coronavirus over social media, Gobert issued an apology on Instagram.
“I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis ... mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment,” Gobert wrote.
“The first and most important thing is, I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously ...
“I am under great care and will fully recover.”
Mitchell was the only other player or member of the Jazz organization who tested positive for coronavirus out of 58 tests performed on Wednesday night, The Athletic reported.
The Jazz returned to Utah from Oklahoma City on a charter flight Thursday after their Wednesday game was postponed. But Gobert and Mitchell reportedly were not on that flight.