In precaution to the growing coronavirus pandemic, the Golden State Warriors were slated to play the Brooklyn Nets in an empty Chase Center with no fans in the San Francisco crowd. However, the impact of COVID-19 has officially halted the NBA season.
After a player for the Utah Jazz preliminary tested positive for coronavirus, the NBA announced the season would be suspended until further notice.
The NBA will go on hiatus until they can determine the future steps, the league said in a statement.
NBA season has been suspended. pic.twitter.com/6tsfnM7JLu
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) March 12, 2020
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus.
Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Sources say Gobert is feeling good, strong and stable — and was feeling strong enough to play tonight.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
Gobert was listed as questionable due to an illness against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. With fans in their seats, the Jazz game against the Thunder was postponed just minutes before tipoff.
Injury Report:
QUESTIONABLE – Rudy Gobert (illness)
QUESTIONABLE – Emmanuel Mudiay (illness)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 11, 2020
The NBA’s following steps are still in question as games have officially been suspended going forward.