In further attempts to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the NBA announced on Thursday that teams will shut down all individual practice facilities effective on Friday, as first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The move comes a week after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the decision to suspend game operations following Rudy Gobert’s positive diagnosis for the virus.
At the time, Silver also banned team practices.
However, as more and more players have tested positive for the virus, the league made the call to put an end to individual practices with staff members as well.
Teams were informed today in a memo about facilities closing –with players being encouraged to take aggressive measures to continue to avoid contact with others and remain home as much as possible. https://t.co/3OedPb4qFt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2020
Despite practice facilities closing (starting Friday), teams will continue the process of preparing for the NBA Draft. Teams have been giving out homework assignments to their scouts ranging from watching tape, background prep, and will continue with weekly conference calls.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 19, 2020
Oklahoma City revealed on Wednesday that all Thunder players and staffers that had been tested for the coronavirus had received negative results.
OKC had potentially come into contact with the virus last week when they were preparing to host the Utah Jazz. A day after Gobert’s diagnosis, teammate Donovan Mitchell also tested positive for the coronavirus.
While the league is on hiatus, Thunder players have been entertaining themselves (and fans) with various Tik Tok videos.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also started showing off his closet via his Instagram with a series of posts documenting his #quarantinefits.