The NBA has decided to suspend the season due to the coronavirus in a decision that came just moments after the Utah Jazz-Oklahoma City Thunder game was called off right before tipoff on Thursday night.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This is a stunning move that happened just hours after the NCAA announced no fans would be allowed to attend NCAA Tournament games. And it’s all happening as the sports world tries its best to react to a pandemic that has affected the entire world.
This was announced after it was revealed that Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus.
Wojnarowski made the NBA’s news public with a simple but shocking tweet tonight:
The NBA has suspended the season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
He added:
The NBA "will use hiatus to determine next steps moving forward," league says. https://t.co/tWoRO8pbfT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
The NBA made it official:
The NBA has suspended the season until further notice pic.twitter.com/3g5PJFYqBl
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 12, 2020
The Gobert news was shocking and will likely have an even bigger impact on things:
Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and the NBA suspended its season immediately.
These are the games Gobert has participated in over the last two weeks. https://t.co/N54yrPrzWL pic.twitter.com/GK0q5pK0bO
— patrick (@muldowney) March 12, 2020
The sports world reacted:
Don’t discount the liability threat factoring into decisions after NBA suspends season. Anyone still playing might have to argue why they risked it when NBA was cautious.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) March 12, 2020
In the last hour:
Trump put up a travel ban with Europe.
Tom Hanks testers positive for coronavirus
The NBA suspended its season
— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) March 12, 2020
This and the Tom Hanks thing should make it clear certain people can get tests when they need them https://t.co/CW8n0WTTAv
— Eric Freeman (@freemaneric) March 12, 2020
It should go without saying, but: the NBA and the NCAA are absolutely making the right decisions. The risks of spreading a global pandemic way outweigh the rewards of watching sports
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 12, 2020
This is, I think, the sensible play for all sports leagues at this point. Pause while there’s still enough slack in the calendar to find a way out, buy yourselves time to come up with an actual plan, and remember to keep importance of sport as a whole in perspective. https://t.co/fxHBvsfYfH
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) March 12, 2020
The United States is suspended.
Listen to legitimate sources for information.
Stick Together (while apart).. https://t.co/drWZSZAFFc
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) March 12, 2020
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 12, 2020
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 12, 2020
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