Milwaukee Bucks guard and Notre Dame alumnus Pat Connaughton announced Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Accordingly, he is not with his team inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble. He released the following statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and ESPN:
Bucks guard Pat Connaughton, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, is not in Orlando with the team and released the following statement to ESPN and Milwaukee JS: pic.twitter.com/FCRfubq6JM
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 20, 2020
In spite of this, Connaughton sounds like he is in good spirits. Hours after making this statement, he tweeted the following:
Thanks for the thoughts & prayers. Feeling great and looking forward to being back with the squad soon… luckily I always have a basketball in my apartment – sorry to the people living below me 🤷🏼♂️🏀😷 #FearTheDeer 🦌
— Pat Connaughton (@pconnaughton) July 20, 2020
Connaughton, in his fifth NBA season after a memorable career with the Irish, was averaging 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 61 games, all but one of which saw him come off the bench. He also participated in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which had a few controversial moments, including Connaughton not advancing past the first round. One has to wonder if that still bothers him.
Hopefully, it won’t be long before Connaughton is healed and able to contribute to the Bucks’ quest for their first championship since 1971. Until then, it’s time to rest up. Like he’d rather have anything else happen to himself.