The NBA, along with the NHL, MLS and MLB, have limited locker room access to only players, coaches and essential personnel due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Leagues cutting back on locker room access could only be the start of precautions against COVID-19. According to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, it’s “very likely” the Golden State Warriors could soon be playing games in an empty home arena.
It’s something that the league has been discussing in recent days, and is something that has been contemplated for the better part of the last few weeks. As the number of cases in the United States have increased, municipalities across the country have been taking various precautions to limit public exposure.
Strong, strong, strong indications that there will be a clear decision and announcement on near-term sports events in San Francisco.
-Very likely this is the last game in the area for a while not played in an empty arena.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) March 11, 2020
Before the Warriors hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, head coach Steve Kerr spoke with reporters about the potential of playing games in front of no fans.
Via Chris Alvarez ABC News Bay Area:
Yeah, It’s absolutely a possibility, and I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought. I’ve played on a couple of teams where it felt like that was the case at times. Again we’re in uncharted waters. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
#Warriors head coach Steve Kerr addressed the possibility of playing empty arenas due to #Coronavirus concerns. Stay updated with ABC 7 News ➡️ https://t.co/AImV70FLhm #ABC7Now #DubNation pic.twitter.com/yb8wC04xAK
— Chris Alvarez (@CAlvarezABC7) March 11, 2020
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Santa Clara County has banned public events in which more than 1,000 people are expected to be present. As a result, Golden State’s neighbors — the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes — have had to either play games with no fans in attendance or temporarily relocate to new playing grounds.
The Warriors may follow suit.
Due to the outbreak, college campuses in the Bay Area have suspended classes while high schools in San Francisco have canceled events such as playoff basketball tournaments.
The Warriors will welcome the Brooklyn Nets to San Francisco on Thursday, March 12. Following the Nets game, Golden State will begin a five-game road trip. The team will return to Chase Center on March 25 when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks.
Things may be much different by that point.
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