I’m corona free, says Celtics guard Smart
NEW YORK: Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, who tested positive for the new coronavirus two weeks days ago, has been cleared by American health officials, he announced on Sunday on Twitter.
“Corona Free as of two days ago. Cleared by Mass [Massachusetts] Dept of Health,” Smart wrote on social media.
“Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers and I’m doing the same for everyone that’s been effected by this. Stay safe and stay together — apart! Much love!”
So far at least 14 NBA team members have tested positive for Covid-19, including the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
He joins France’s Gobert and Mitchell and Detroit Piston’s Christian Wood with all-clears after coming down with the illness.
Earlier this month, league commissioner Adam Silver said NBA players should be considered “super spreaders” of the disease. Silver’s comments followed criticism that wealthy athletes were getting tested ahead of critically ill patients in American hospitals.
Smart said he was tested March 14 and got the results five days later.
He added that he had no symptoms and felt good enough to play an NBA game if he had to.
In 53 games in 2019-20 season, Smart was averaging 4.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game.
CHINA MASK DEAL
Former NBA star Stephon Marbury, now coaching in China, says he has a deal with a Chinese manufacturer to provide 10 million coronavirus protective masks to his hometown of New York.
The New York Post reported on Sunday that Marbury, whose 13 NBA seasons included five with the New York Knicks, said he was inspired by tales of huge price hikes for masks so desperately needed by New York workers.
“At the end of the day, I’m from Brooklyn,” he said. “This is something that’s close and dear to my heart as far as being able to help New York.”