The NBA season has been on hold and in a hiatus since March 11 due to the global coronavirus pandemic after a couple of players from the Utah Jazz tested positive for it. Since then, the league has seen a few more players actually test positive, but according to a report by The athletic’s Sam Amick, every one of those players and personnel have recovered.
In order to get a better understanding of the virus and continue towards the league’s goal of returning to play safely, the Minnesota Timberwolves are teaming up with the Mayo Clinic to lead an antibodies test in which all 30 teams are going to participate. Minnesota general manager Gersson Rosas and Dr. Robby Sikka will lead the study.
ESPN’s Malika Andrews writes:
At the time, Rosas could not have predicted that Sikka’s job would include combating a virus that spiraled into a global pandemic and caused the NBA to shut down. Now, Sikka and the Mayo Clinic — an academic medical center headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota — are spearheading a leaguewide study that aims to establish what percentage of NBA players, coaches, executives and staff have developed antibodies to the coronavirus.
The initiative, which is supported by the league office and the players’ association, is expected to have the participation of all 30 teams.
The Timberwolves family was hit hard by the virus as it took the life of Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother and now the league has to take all of the necessary precautions to get basketball back safely. This can be a good step in the right direction. [lawrence-related id=31280,31244][vertical-gallery id=31260]