The NBA has suspended the current season “until further notice” after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus according to multiple reports.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Gobert, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, tested positive for COVID-19 leading to the cancellation of their game with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday (Thursday morning in Nigeria).
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
An NBA statement said the result of the test was received before tip-off and that Gobert was not at the venue of the game.
The statement added that the season will be suspended until further notice with the NBA using the break to fashion out a way of “moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic”.
Following Rudy Gobert's positive COVID-19 test, the NBA is in an indefinite suspension. https://t.co/h7YpWMrvGE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
“The NBA is suspending gameplay following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the statement read. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine the next steps for moving forward in regards to the coronavirus pandemic”.
